Telecom mininster Raja finally quits

Telecommunications minister A Raja has finally gone, having submitted his resignation to the prime minister on Sunday night, after days of drama.

The man often called 'spectrum' Raja after selling 2G bandwidth at dirt-cheap rates said he was quitting "to avoid embarrassment to the government", denying any wrongdoing.

"In order to avoid embarrassment to the Government and maintain peace and harmony in Parliament, my leader (DMK chief M Karunanidhi) has advised me to resign.

I will prove my innocence - I did everything in accordance with the law. I did a revolution in the telecom sector. My conscience is clear. I did much for the country, for my people." Raja said.

The Comptroller and Auditor General, in a recent report, estimated that billions of dollars were lost as a result of Raja selling spectrum on a 'first come first served' basis rather than auctioning it (See: 'Spectrum' Raja in deeper trouble after CAG indictment).

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to make a statement in Parliament today announcing Raja's resignation. The prime minister is expected to assure Parliament that he will not back any individual who is proven guilty of corruption.