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NDA leaders knock Kalam’s door New Delhi, June 3 The delegation led by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr L.K. Advani, and NDA Convener George Fernandes met the President, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and drew his attention to criminalisation of the Cabinet. Jaswant Singh, Sushma Swaraj and Maneka Gandhi were also present at the meeting with the President. BJP spokesperson Arun Jaitley told mediapersons that the delegation handed over a memorandum pointing out that the induction of these “tainted” Ministers had given rise to serious concern about probity in the public life of the country. He said Dr Kalam assured the delegation that he would consider the points raised by them. “The President agreed to consider our demand,” he said. The six “tainted” Ministers mentioned in the memorandum are Laloo Prasad Yadav, Mohammad Taslimuddin, Jai Prakash Yadav, Shibhu Soren, M.A. Faatmi and Premchand Gupta. Jaitley said the delegation also raised the issue of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler’s alleged complicity in the 1984 Sikh riots. He said the delegation told the President that most of these Ministers had earlier resigned from the government for facing corruption and criminal charges. The memorandum reads: “The profile of some of the Ministers clearly shows that for the sake of power, sound democratic traditions have been completely given a go by.” On being reminded that even the NDA government had “chargesheeted Ministers’”, Jaitley said, “These Ministers in the UPA government have not been chargesheeted for involvement in political movements or trade union activities. They have been charged with corruption, abuse of power, mafia related crimes, kidnapping and murder.” Former Law Minister Jaitley said that right through the 13th Lok Sabha, the Left parties and RJD leaders objected to the inclusion of persons involved in the Ayodhya case in the NDA government. He said it was none other than Dr Manmohan Singh who had said that “Ceasar’s wife should be above suspicion.” Jaitley said that Congress cannot deflect attention from the issue by talking about presumption of innocence. Asked whether NDA would boycott the “tainted” Ministers in Parliament, the BJP spokesperson replied: “Wait for our strategy. When the President’s address comes, it will be clear to you.” He said the NDA would raise the issue within and outside Parliament. |
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NDA fielded 78 criminals, says Cong New Delhi, June 3 Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said Mr L.K. Advani and Mr George Fernandes, who led today’s march, should first do some soul searching as to why they were made Ministers. Mr
Advani, he said, was chargesheeted in the Ayodhya case while Mr Fernandes returned to the Cabinet even before the enquiry commission on Tehelka had completed its probe. “The NDA leaders, in their new role, marched to the President along with their colleagues. Perhaps they have not reconciled to their defeat,” Mr Sharma added. He maintained NDA’s opposition to the inclusion of “tainted” Ministers was a mere propaganda and was not based on any principles. Questioning the seriousness of these leaders, Mr Sharma said that as many as 78
persons with criminal records were given tickets by the NDA in the recent election. |
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RSS
refutes charge of involvement in Babri demolition New Delhi, June 3 While supporting an amicable settlement of the vexed
“Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid” dispute in the interest of the
country, the RSS in its written submissions, filed by its counsel
Rajesh K Gogna said that no material had been brought before the panel
by any one to suggest the organisation was involved in the demolition
of the disputed structure or any unlawful activity connected with it.
In support of its arguments, the RSS has also referred
to the findings of Bahri Tribunal, which it said, had given a clean
chit to the organisation.
Mr Gogna also referred to the deposition of RSS chief
K.S. Sudarshan before the panel in December 2000, in which he had
denied that any of the organisation’s functionary or member was
involved in the December 6, 1992, incident that led to the demolition
of the structure.
Mr Sudarshan in his deposition had put the blame on
the then Congress Government at the Centre, headed by Mr P.V.
Narasimha Rao for the incident alleging that it failed to assess the
strong public sentiments behind the Ram temple movement.
He had because of this apathy of the Centre, the
‘kar sevaks’ assembled at Ayodhya on December 6, 1992 went out of
control and even did not heed the calls of top BJP and Sangh Parivar
leaders to exercise restraint.
The Commission adjourned the hearing to June 18 after
counsel for former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and former UP
Chief Minister Kalyan Singh sought further time to file their written
arguments. |
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