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| Advani seeks probe into cash-for-votes | | | New Delhi | July 24
BJP leader L K Advani on Wednesday demanded an inquiry into the cash-for-votes scandal, saying that the "whole affair was scandalous and reeked of muck" and had thoroughly tainted the Manmohan Singh government's win in the July 22 trust vote in Lok Sabha.
Expressing concern that no probe had as yet been ordered, Advani said, "I was hoping that some effort would be made (to probe the bribe charge); at least the Prime Minister would react, but I see no sign of this." He said that the entire episode should be subjected to a thorough investigation to punish the guilty.
Advani said that BJP did not have the tapes on the bribe attempt and said it was up to the TV channel to air them. He pointed out that previously, the JMM bribery case, which was on a much smaller scale, had resulted in the conviction of a former PM.
"The track record of this government is terrible with regard to price rise and Naxalite violence. The common people just want to be rid of this government. A government that started with tainted ministers has, towards the end of its term, gained a tainted victory," he said.
While Advani sought to go on the offensive, he also had to admit that there was "no defence" for the large-scale desertions from the saffron ranks which was almost certainly a key factor in government winning the trust vote.
"I am saddened, but never have such massive amounts been involved. So I am proud of our three MPs who exposed the corruption," he said.
Asked about Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's harsh attack on him, which included the suggestion that he should change his astrologer, Advani merely said, "I did not know he was interested in astrology."
Asked of the possibility of the Opposition resigning en mass, as had happened during the Opposition's offensive against the Rajiv Gandhi government over Bofors, Advani said this needed discussion with other parties. Though the leader said such a course of action could be considered, party sources said that it was not an easy option. It needed an overwhelming consensus to be effective and might not have much effect on a government that was determined to brazen things out.
Attacking the government for resorting to "buying votes," Advani said that the ruling coalition had adopted a policy of "winning at any cost." He said that elections were not too off and the "manner in which the vote was won in Lok Sabha will be a public issue. It will be settled by the people."
Defending BJP against the charge that it had failed to mobilise for the trust vote, Advani said that MPs had been flown in to Delhi despite being in critical care. He also fended off the question whether BJP had been discomfited by the rise of BSP chief Mayawati as a prime ministerial candidate, by saying "I don't want to go into this. I have said earlier that if the government had fallen we were not interested in any alternate arrangement and would like to appeal to the people to deliver a verdict." |
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