Congress questions BJP’s lack of action on Raman Singh

Questioning the BJP’s “fight against corruption,” the Congress has asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not going by his “claim of na khaunga na khane doonga” and taking action against Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh in the wake of purported leaked telephonic conversation involving former CM and senior Congress leader Ajit Jogi, his son Amit and Mr Raman Singh’s son-in-law Puneet Gupta for rigging an Assembly by-poll seat in 2015. The Congress has demanded the CM’s resignation, which the BJP has rejected. Mr Raman Singh is also facing heat over the alleged PDS scam. The leaked tape suggested that the money changed hands in the affair, facilitating BJP candidate’s victory.

The BJP top brass, it is learnt, has taken a serious note of the entire episode with party president Amit Shah seeking feedback from the state as how much the issue can damage the party and the state government. The central leadership apparently is not happy with the development in the BJP-ruled state where the Congress’s electoral performance is improving. Even the PMO, it is learnt, is keeping a tab on the situation amid indications that the Opposition Congress is not going to let the issue die down and is likely to approach the Election Commission and the Enforcement Directorate.

Taking a dig at the PM over his government’s stance on the black money issue, Chhattisgarh PCC president Bhupesh Baghel, while talking to this newspaper, said, “The incident (leaked tapes) is a proof that BJP leaders, including its CM, are dealing in black money. Why the PM is not taking any action now or the BJP promises are only jumlas ” He also demanded that government should file an FIR against Mr Gupta. The Congress is demanding an SIT probe into the issue and had issued a showcause notice to Amit Jogi.

Jogis’ have claimed the audio tape was “doctored and fake.” The PCC is also all set to discuss the issue threadbare in its next meeting.

“I am not going to let this issue die down. The BJP is a self-proclaimed crusader against corruption and against black money but when it comes to taking action, its leaders go speechless. We want an independent probe into this case. We are not satisfied with the EC asking the chief secretary to probe into the case as everyone knows how close he is to the chief minister,” said Mr Baghel told this newspaper.

The Congress leader also attacked the CM, asking him why no action has been initiated against Mr Gupta.

“BJP claims he (Gupta) is a private citizen but why has he been provided with four guards. He can freely walk inside the secretariat and can indulge in such dealings on BJP’s behalf. We all know how the Gupta’s have been getting benefited under this government. This (leaked tape) is just one incident which has proved how the so called anti-corruption and anti-black money party has been using the black money for political gains,” said the PCC chief.