Margashirsha Krushna 6, Kaliyug Varsha 5113
Exclusive Interview of Dr. Swamy by Sandeep Bamzai
Q. What is your game plan for December 17?
A. I have been trying for a pincer movement and I think I am succeeding -the idea is to leave very little to Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini's discretion. He is a very good judge, but there are huge stakes involved and nobody can afford to make a mistake. I argued in my capacity as a deemed public prosecutor with nearly 200 pages of documents. On December 17, I will come as a complainant and argue why Chidambaram needs to be made a co-accused in the 2G trial. If the judge is satisfied that I am not being frivolous, he can prima facie indicate that a crime has been committed by Chidambaram.
Q. What will you do after that?
A. I will argue that there is a February 11, 2008, Department of Economic Affairs note which will conclusively prove that the finance ministry under Chidambaram was alive to monetising spectrum by pricing it at Rs 5,772 crore instead of the Rs 1,650 crore which Raja made the nine operators pay. The bulwark of my argument is that the letters of intent issued on January 10 did not give the decision contractual status. I will establish that had Chidambaram wanted, this decision could have been reversed. Moreover, even after licences had been issued, the March 25, 2011, finance ministry office memorandum clearly states that had the ministry wanted, the terms of the licences could have been modified. The fait accompli offered by the CBI while giving a clean chit to Chidambaram is a bogus argument.
Q. Why do you say that?
A. On November 22, 2007, the finance secretary wrote to the dot secretary. The reply was put up on November 29, which clearly shows Chidambaram knew. On December 17, a note was put up to assess the market price. Strangely on January 8, news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) put out a story listing the entities which would be given licences. How is it that PTI knew that X, Y and Z would be getting licences? Even more clinching is the January 9, 2008 position paper prepared by Sindhushree Khullar, then additional secretary in the finance ministry. This note was prepared on January 3 but put up on January 9. The same became the template for Chidambaram's letter to the PM with the famous last words-let us treat this as a closed chapter.
Q. What do you think Judge Saini will do on December 17?
A. I am clear that Chidambaram knew before, knew after and still knows everything there is to know about 2G. There are two things the judge can do after hearing my deposition as a complainant. He will allow me to cross-examine Khullar who I will ask a simple question: Did you or did you not tell your minister that the Transaction of Business Rules allowed him to refer the matter to the Cabinet even as late as January 9, just a day prior to the fateful events of January 10? Similarly, I will question Awasthi about why the agency has not moved on Etisalat and Telenor. The Supreme Court handed over documents pertaining to these two companies to the CBI counsel in February 2011. These proved that both companies should not have been allowed to do business in India since they had dealings in Pakistan and China. The Supreme Court asked CBI to investigate the matter because the home ministry wanted both entities banned. I want to ask Awasthi: if you got these papers, why did you not act on them and how did you allow the sale of fresh shares in both Swan and Unitech Wireless to these two companies?
Q. What is at the heart of your dislike for Chidambaram?
A. I have no animus against him. Karunanidhi said that I am a Brahmin so I have an animus against Raja. He said that I am anti-woman so I have an animus against Kanimozhi. What will they say now? The reality is that Congressmen have an animus against Chidambaram. I have fond expectations that I will send him to prison.
Q. You made a hue and cry about Anil Ambani and Ratan Tata not being in the chargesheet, and yet there was not a peep about the Ruias?
A. I have a bone to pick with Ambani because as commerce minister I once helped Nusli Wadia which was like a red rag to a bull. Tata's involvement with Niira Radia is sordid. My interest is to pursue cases against politicians. If you are in politics you are bound to get to know businessmen. I am a private person, I am not the CBI.
Q. Where is this trial is headed? There are close to 150 witnesses and only number six is testifying.
A. I am convinced that politicians involved will be convicted-Raja, Kanimozhi, Chidambaram, Dayanidhi Maran and two other politicians whose names I will not reveal now. As far as businessmen are concerned, that is up to the CBI, but my investigation will bear fruit. I am very close now.
Q. Why are you so convinced that Chidambaram is at fault?
A. In this case, I have gone beyond the prima facie. I am convinced Chidambaram will be made an accused. I have proof to secure a conviction.
Q. What are the three things that you foresee next?
A. I think convictions will begin by July. The attachment of properties will begin around the same time. Finally, I would like to see the people who have managed to stay out of the public eye till now-media, lobbyists and others of their kind-pay a price. We need to recapture the soul of India and put an end to greed and crony capitalism.
Source : IndiaToday
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