Extended JPC probe on telecom from 1998 onwards likely: report

Facing a storm over the twin scam of 2G spectrum allocations and the Adarsh Society flat allotments, the core group of the Congress Party is expected to meet later in the evening to discuss the Opposition demand for a Joint Parliamentary probe into the telecom ministry's murky deals.

Reports citing sources said the Congress might consider the Opposition demand for a JPC probe on condition that the probe period would start from the later part of 1990s when the telecom revolution was ushered in during the tenure of the BJP-led NDA, under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Senior leaders, including party president and UPA chief Sonia Gandhi, prime minister Manmohan Singh, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and defence minister A K Antony, are expected to attend a core group meeting to finalise the parliamentary probe.

The core group meeting has been convened after an all-party meeting called by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee earlier failed to pacify a united opposition, which was hell-bent on pressing their demand for a JPC probe into tainted former telecom minister A Raja's murky deals.

The extension of the terms of reference to include the NDA era is seen as a deleberate attempt by the ruling party to delay the probe and thereby blunt the edge of opposition's weapon against the UPA.

With Parliament paralysed following persistent demand by the Opposition for a JPC probe, the meeting of the central leadership of the Congress is likely to formalise the party's stand on the issue - a move aimed at getting the Opposition to allow smooth functioning of the two Houses of Parliament.