'Nothing WRONG in Raja, Kalmadi being in Par panel'

The Congress on Wednesday claimed that there was nothing wrong in former Union minister A Raja and Suresh Kalmadi being made members of Parliamentary Standing Committees.

While Raja is the main accused in the 2G spectrum scam, Kalmadi is a prime accused in the Commonwealth Games scam.

"It is the right of a member of Parliament to be on a committee, whatever may be the charges or allegations. The members are not nominated by their party," party spokesman  P C Chacko told reporters.

Chacko, who heads the Privileges Committee of the Lok Sabha, said every MP is entitled to be on a Committee and he "cannot be denied that privilege".

Asked whether the Congress could tell controversial members like Kalmadi not to accept a Parliamentary Committee's membership, he said, "I don't think that the party can do that. It is a privilege."

He said members express their choices for certain Parliamentary Committees and as per that, they are granted memberships.

Raja, who represents Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam in the Lok Sabha, has been nominated to the Standing Committee on Energy.

Kalmadi, Congress member of the Lok Sabha, has been nominated to the Standing Committee on External Affairs.

Parliamentary Standing Committees are considered a 'mini-Parliament' as they closely scrutinise bills and give suggestions on proposed legislations.

Raja, who was arrested in connection with the 2G scam on February 2 last year, has been out on bail since May 15 this year.

Kalmadi also spent nearly nine months in jail before being released on bail on January 19 this year.

DMK MP Kanimozhi, who is an accused in some cases related to the 2G spectrum allocation, has been nominated to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs.