With Opposition BJP demanding that CBI be allowed to question Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in connection with missing files related to coal scam, the Government on Monday put a condition that if it be so then all those who held the coal portfolio between 1993 and 2009 must also be summoned by the investigative agency.
Asked about Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath’s comment that the PM will make himself available to questioning if formal request is made, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said, “If at all, this is being speculated, I would request keep this in mind that this should be a principle which should apply across the board.”
He said that it must be kept in mind that the coal allocation covers the entire period from 1993 to 2009 and during this period various other Ministers, former Prime Ministers and leaders of other political parties have also held charge of the Coal Ministry and they should all be summoned.
He even charged the Opposition BJP for trying to politicise things even when ongoing investigations are being monitored by the Supreme Court.Asserting that Singh has an impeccable track record in the Government and there has never been a question with regard to his integrity, he said that Singh has spoken extensively about the coal issue both within and outside Parliament.