The list of witnesses to be examined by the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) in the 2G spectrum scam has become the bone of contention between the BJP-led Opposition and the ruling side in the JPC.

BJP had submitted a list of fifteen names, but the committee stretched the list to a whopping 107 names. BJP alleged that the ruling side in the committee included irrelevant names in the list with a sole aim to blunt the probe and turn attention away from the top government functionaries.

The Opposition has been insisting that the committee should concentrate on top government functionaries, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, finance minister P Chidambaram and former telecom minister A Raja, to ensure a fair probe of the multi-billion 2G spectrum scam.

The draft list of witnesses circulated by Chacko included PM Manmohan Singh, P Chidambaram and A Raja, but the Opposition is arguing that the inclusion of irrelevant name will prevent a fair probe. The list also includes several officials from former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's office, all officials from telecom sector and every telecom minister as well as minister of state.

BJP leader Yashwant Sinha conveyed his concerns to JPC chairman PC Chacko in a letter saying, "You will agree this issue should not be swept under the carpet."

Over the controversial list of witnesses, BJP leaders stormed out of the committee's last meeting that took place on 22nd of August. BJP has six members in the thirty-member JPC.