Cong trains Radia guns on BJP
The latest reported allegations levelled by a former business partner of PR lobbyist Niira Radia that she fixed deals with a senior BJP leader has finally provided the Congress some ammunition to hit out at the saffron party after being on the defensive for months.
The latest reported allegations levelled by a former business partner of PR lobbyist Niira Radia that she fixed deals with a senior BJP leader has finally provided the Congress some ammunition to hit out at the saffron party after being on the defensive for months.
Though the BJP made it clear that its general secretary Ananth Kumar, who has been named in the latest Radia saga, would take legal action against the news channel that broadcast the allegations, it may have to look for some answers. Kumar dismissed the allegations as "completely false".
The allegations came barely two days after the BJP leaders demanded the Prime Minister's resignation over the 2G spectrum scam at a rally here.
The revelations around Radia have exposed the nexus between lobbyists and politicians, journalists and businessmen.
The Congress, which had been pushed on the backfoot by the aggressive Opposition following the leaked Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report before the winter session of Parliament and the highly embarrassing Radia tapes, was breathing fire on Friday.
"The BJP's role is exposed. Its senior minister and his role with lobbyists stands exposed. Cabinet papers were leaked during BJP's tenure," said party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi.
"When will Ananth Kumar be removed as general secretary? Will the BJP hold an anti-corruption rallies at his residence and Bangalore? Will BJP disrupt Parliament on this issue?" asked Singhvi, lobbing a volley of questions.
Why was no action taken against Swiss bank accounts that were opened during this time by Radia? Does the money in these accounts belong to Radia alone or BJP leaders, questioned Singhvi.
The BJP reacted angrily to the allegations against Kumar. "About the allegations regarding leaked cabinet papers, which papers were leaked related to what issue is not mentioned. It is said Ananth Kumar put funds in a Swiss account. About which account this refers nothing has been said," said Arun Jaitley.
He strongly condemned dragging the name of senior leaders LK Advani and Nitin Gadkari into the issue, saying they did not even know Radia. "We find that unethical journalism invites strong reaction and action," Jaitley said.