M A I N   N E W S

Decision vindicates our stand, says govt
Anita Katyal
Our Political Correspondent

Hailing the verdict, the government said it vindicates its stand and also of the Congress. Describing it as a good judgment, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told mediapersons in Kolkata, “It is a relief because somebody was unnecessarily being prosecuted.” The government has reasons to feel relieved after the trial court’s order as it comes at a time when the Congress is in the midst of a crucial election in Uttar Pradesh. The BJP sharpened its attack against the Congress after the Supreme Court cancelled the 122 licences cleared by former telecom minister A.Raja, putting the focus back on corruption charges against the UPA government. Had Chidambaram been indicted, the BJP would have got more ammunition to demolish the Congress which would have been disastrous for the grand old party whose star campaigner Rahul Gandhi is attacking the BSP government on the issue of corruption.

Moreover, Chidambaram’s indictment would have rendered the Prime Minister vulnerable to a renewed attack from the opposition and further eroded the government’s credibility as the Home Minister was considered the last shield in the 2G spectrum allocation case.

It was, therefore, no surprise that ministers including Ambika Soni, Kapil Sibal and Salman Khurshid publicly declared their trust in Chidambaram while hailing today’s order. “We always knew that our colleague is absolutely not culpable.I know the evidence and have sifted through it and there is absolutely no responsibility which can be foisted on him,” remarked Sibal,adding that the government and Congress’ stand had been vindicated.

While Khurshid admitted that today’s order was a huge relief, an emboldened Sibal also used this opportunity to hit out at the opposition.