This Article is From Sep 15, 2014

No Comment, Says Manmohan Singh on Former CAG Vinod Rai's Criticism

No Comment, Says Manmohan Singh on Former CAG Vinod Rai's Criticism

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh (File photo)

New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today declined to comment on former national auditor Vinod Rai's criticism of his alleged failure to check the spectrum and coal scams. "I, indeed, did my duty. Well, I do not want to comment on other people what they have written," Dr Singh said.

Former Comptroller and Auditor General Mr Rai's estimates of massive losses in the 2G spectrum and coal scam had pushed the UPA government into a corner. In his soon-to-be-released book "Not Just an Accountant", Mr Rai has singled out Dr Singh for stinging criticism.

"Mr Prime Minister, people wonder, if you were indeed convinced that spectrum allocation should be transparent, what prevented you from executing your wishes? Had you, in fact, stood steadfastly by your beliefs, the fate of UPA-II might have been different. In fact, the fate of the Indian economy itself might have been very different," Mr Rai writes.

Last week, the former auditor alleged that three Congress leaders -- Sanjay Nirupam, Sandeep Dikshit and Ashwani Kumar - had made what he called a "futile attempt" at keeping Dr Singh's name out of his reports.

Mr Rai was also critical of the coalition politics under Dr Singh. The former PM, he had alleged, was more interested in remaining in power.

The BJP has seized the comments to renew its attacks on Dr Singh, while the Congress has threatened legal action against Mr Rai.

"They are doing their duty. I have contributed to my duty. I don't want to comment," the former Prime Minister today said at the release of "Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan", written by his daughter Daman Singh.

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