'BJP did nothing against CVC Thomas when in power'

The government on Tuesday hit back at the Bharatiya Janata Party on the appointment of PJ Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner saying the party did nothing when it was in power on sanctioning prosecution against him, as they could find any evidence against him.

Government sources said the first request for grant of sanction for prosecution of Thomas in a corruption case in Kerala came to the Centre on December 31, 1999 and it was valid till the last day of the National Democratic Allianec government on May 21, 2004.

"But the NDA government did not act on it and this indicated that the government did not consider it fit for granting sanction," the sources said.

The Central Vigilance Commission on two ocassions – June 25, 2007 and October 6, 2008 -- gave clearance for the appointment of Thomas as a secretary in the Government of India, probably finding nothing against him. Besides the Left Front government in Kerala had appointed Thomas as the chief secretary of the state after finding nothing against him, the sources said.

Government sources said the BJP has no right to comment on the issue as it is a sub judice matter and should allow the Supreme Court to take a view after hearing from both sides.