2G: Drop Maran from ministry, says JD(U)

The Janata Dal (United) on Saturday demanded the immediate removal of Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran who is under the scanner in the 2G spectrum case. 

"The dirty deal in the 2G case is crystal clear. But he (Maran) is still continuing in the ministry. The Prime Minister should not waste any time in removing him from the government," JD(U) president Sharad Yadav alleged before reporters here. 

There have been allegations against Maran that his family-owned Sun TV Network was a beneficiary of pay-offs by a Malaysian company which benefited from equity sold by Aircel. 

Yadav claimed the kickback received by Sun TV was to the tune of Rs 600 crore. 

Maran has already rejected the charges. Deploring police action against yoga guru Ramdev at Ram Lila Ground here on June 5, Yadav said prohibitory orders imposed later in the capital should be lifted immediately. 

"I deplore the police action at Ram Lila Maidan. No one was involved in any violence there. What happened was unconstitutional and a blot on our democracy," he said. 

"We ask the Government to lift 144 from Delhi immediately and allow people to exercise their democratic rights of protest in a peaceful manner. The government should go ahead against corruption rather than silencing the voice of those who are speaking against corruption," he said.