Giving in to opposition demands, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the government will set up a joint parliamentary committee to investigate the alleged 2G spectrum scam, saying the country could "ill afford" disruption of the crucial budget session of parliament, reports the Times of India.

Expectations are that this move will flag off jockeying for position among the various parties seeking seats on the committee.  And what's next? No doubt a neverending probe intended to ensure not speedy resolution, but that the cloud of suspicion remains murky until campaigning begins for the next national election — in 2014.