New Delhi:
The decision to appoint P J Thomas, Secretary in the Ministry of Telecommunications, as the new Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) has not gone down well with the BJP, even though Sushma Swaraj herself was on the selection panel along with the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office Prithviraj Chavan.
The BJP claims the appointment was made despite their objections.
"The blatant and hasty manner in which the CVC has been appointed, it is apparent that they wanted to bring someone pliable so as to handle the post CWG enquiries and cover up the 2G spectrum scam. Sushma ji had objected to Thomas' nominations as his name featured in the palm oil scam. She is a member of the selection committee and yet all her suggestions were ignored. This is unacceptable," said BJP's Tarun Vijay.
The BJP's objections are over Thomas' alleged involvement in the palm oil import scam worth almost Rs 3 crore in 1991-92.
- Thomas, Kerala's Food and Civil Supplies secretary, had struck an import deal with a Malaysia-based private firm without mandatory clearance
- The BJP is also concerned since the Central vigilance commission is currently probing the 2G scam
- As well as the allegations against the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee
The Congress has dismissed the allegations against Thomas.
"It is a different thing to make allegations, and to prove them is different. This is a decision of the majority," said Congress' Rashid Alvi.
Thomas, who refused to comment, takes up his new job on Monday.