New Delhi: In parliament today, the Prime Minister said that his decision to go with PJ Thomas as India's Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) was "an error of judgement" and that he accepts "full responsibility."Dr Manmohan Singh's statement was nudged by the BJP's Sushma Swaraj, who urged him to take the same tone as he did in Jammu last week, after the Supreme Court declared Mr Thomas' appointment was illegal.
The PM's first statement at 12 pm recounted the events that led to a committee headed by him picking Mr Thomas as the country's most senior officer in charge of fighting corruption among bureaucrats and government officials. The other two members on the selection committee were Home Minister P Chidambaram and Ms Swaraj, who had lodged her strong dissent over Mr Thomas' candidacy but was over-ruled.
The "arbitrariness" of that decision was questioned by the Supreme Court, which, like Ms Swaraj, found it odd that Mr Thomas was seen as a viable contender even though he has been accused of corruption in a criminal case.
In Jammu on Friday, the PM said, "I respect the judgement of the Supreme Court... it is necessary to ensure that such things don't happen again.... this is not a question that relates to coalition compulsions." Minutes later, Ms Swaraj tweeted with grace, "I appreciate the statement of the PM owning responsibility... I think this is enough, let matters rest at this and we move forward."
Her party, the BJP, was in a less conciliatory mood. It said the PM would have to explain his decision in Parliament. Ms Swaraj was forced to clarify that her tweet was not at odds with her party's aggressive stand on the matter.
So she was quick to respond today after the PM's first statement which did not see him owning up to his role in Mr Thomas' appointment. Recalling his candid remarks in Jammu, she said, "I am shocked that you have not expressed that sort of regret."
Dr Manmohan Singh immediately stood up and said, "I have no hesitation in repeating what I said in Jammu. Obviously, there was an error of judgement. I accept full responsibility for it."
Mr Thomas was a senior bureaucrat in Kerala in the early 90s, when he allegedly pushed the government to allow the import of edible oil or palmolein. The deal ended up costing the government crores. Mr Thomas was charged with corruption in a criminal case, but because of the political sensitivities of those named with him, the case progressed in fits and starts, depending on which government was in power in Kerala. Mr Thomas enjoyed a series of promotions which saw him being deputed to the Centre.
The court said that the PM's selection committee had not considered the relevant documents for his case, and that it had ignored earlier recommendations for action against him listed by the Department of Personnel and Training.
