BJP glare on Sheila for misuse of funds

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Delhi unit chief Vijender Gupta on Thursday filed a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against chief minister Sheila Dikshit alleging that she had 'misused' public funds in advertisements meant for 'political purpose' ahead of the 2008 Assembly elections.

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Delhi unit chief Vijender Gupta on Thursday filed a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against chief minister Sheila Dikshit alleging that she had 'misused' public funds in advertisements meant for 'political purpose' ahead of the 2008 Assembly elections.

HT Image

Gupta, in his complaint, claimed that in the year 2008-2009, the Delhi chief minister - who was also minister in charge of information and publicity - 'misused' the government machinery and public funds for advertisements across the city.

He said Dikshit 'burdened' the state exchequer in carrying out a campaign of the Congress for her own 'political gains'.

"During that time advertisements were issued by Directorate of Information and Publicity on direction of the chief minister with improper and selfish motive to obtain gain or favour for her and the Congress, squandering public funds to gain advantage. Even the number of advertisements issued by government increased manifold (five-fold) during the election year. Approximately Rs 22.56 crore of public funds were spent by the chief minister for purely personal purposes and converted to her own use," alleged Gupta.

Gupta further said in his complaint that the Delhi Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin 'indicted' the chief minister for 'misuse' of public funds in advertisements meant for a 'political purpose' ahead of 2008 Assembly elections.

Justice Sarin had also recommended reimbursement of Rs 11 crore.

Gupta has also filed the complaint with the Delhi Police.