Congress upset with Raja for dragging PM into spectrum controversy

Congress upset with Raja for dragging PM into spectrum controversyNew Delhi, Oct 23 : The Congress party is "unhappy" with Communications Minister A. Raja for dragging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's name into the controversy over the allotment of 2G spectrum licences.

"The PM is not in the picture at all. The Congress is unhappy over his remark," a party leader said here Friday.

Raja, whose office here was raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Thursday, later denied any wrongdoing in the spectrum licensing and allocation and said he took decisions in consultation with the prime minister.

"The question of my resignation does not arise. All decisions on spectrum licensing have been taken in accordance with procedures and in consultations with the prime minister," Raja told reporters late Thursday.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has demanded the minister's resignation.

"In the interests of having a fair probe, it is essential that the minister not continue in office," CPI-M said in a statement.

However, Congress spokesman Manish Tewari refused to comment on the resignation issue, saying the "matter is under investigation".

"We should stick to the nature of the law," he told reporters here Friday. (IANS)