CPI joins chorus alleging scandal in spectrum auction

Chennai, Nov 7 (IANS) The Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary D. Raja Friday echoed charges made against union IT Minister A. Raja by fellow Left leaders about graft in the auction of radio frequency to mobile operators.

'The central government's losses in the spectrum deal is said to be huge, running into thousands of crores (billions) of rupees. The allegations of private entrepreneurs having improperly profited from the auction needs to be impartially probed,' Raja said.

Actor-turned-politician Vijaykanth demanded a probe into the matter by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court, in a separate interaction with the press.

Meanwhile, at a press conference in New Delhi, Raja challenged his detractors to prove the charges.

'The allegations are frivolous and without substance. I am willing to quit my post if these charges are proved,' Raja said.

A section of the media here has been carrying on a campaign against the IT minister alleging a scandal worth over $13 billion due to faulty proceedure in auctioning radio frequencies to mobile telecom operators.