2G scam: Cracks in BJP over Joshi's stand on PAC?

Though Bhartiya Janata Party spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy denied that there was a rift in the party due to the statements made by Public Accounts Committee Chairman Murli Manohar Joshi at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, senior party leaders admitted that Joshi had done irreparable damage to the demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe in the 2G spectrum scam.

"Joshi's statement has incurred the wrath of the party workers," said a senior BJP leader.   

On Tuesday, Rudy wanted to drive home the point that all was well within the party and there was no rift in the BJP over the JPC demand. "Senior leaders spoke to Joshi who told them that at no point of time did he say that the PAC opposed setting up of a JPC to probe the 2G spectrum scam," Rudy said in response to a question repeatedly asked by the journalists whether the party proposed to take action against Joshi.

Joshi had categorically said that the PAC can go beyond the Comptroller and Auditor General report and even summon a minister through the Lok Sabha Speaker. He had said that the PAC would take a view on the offer made by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to depose before the PAC, Rudy pointed out.  

Rudy said that the role of the PAC was limited and it can only go through the accounting process. "Whereas the JPC has to powers to go into the formulation of the polices and why they were not implemented and can summon even ministers," said the BJP spokesperson.

"We are not asking the PM to break a convention. We want him to set up a JPC so that it can go through various aspects of corruption in the 2G spectrum scam as well other scams," Rudy emphasised.

He refused to reply to question whether the party would take disciplinary action against the PAC chairman for taking a stand that was not contrary to the party's.