Kushwaha's induction exposes 'BJP's battle against corruption': Congress

The induction of tainted former UP Minister Babu Singh Kushwaha in BJP today drew flak alike from its friends and foes, who said that it exposed the "hollowness" of anti-corruption campaign led by LK Advani. BJP refuses straight answers on Kushwaha's induction | Axed Maya man raided over NHRM scam

Congress on Wednesday stepped up attack on BJP over induction of former BSP minister Babu Singh Kushwaha against whom CBI conducted raids today in the NRHM scam case questioning the opposition's party credentials to take up the corruption issue.

Dismissing BJP's attack on Congress on induction of Kushwaha, information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said "this exposes the opportunistic politics of BJP. Today, they (BJP) have become the strongest advocate of a man who is accused of having embezzled thousands of crore of the National Rural Health Mission fund."

"Is there any other way that BJP can justify that the thrown-outs of BSP were garlanded and welcomed in BJP despite serious corruption charges against them? After all, Mayawati would have thrown such people out only after being convinced about their corruption. Will they become clean by joining BJP?

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Accusing BJP of double speak on the issue of corruption she said this had become clear even on the Lokpal issue. She said Team Anna, which attacks on corruption, should also speak on such actions by BJP.

Rejecting BJP's contention that CBI became so active against Kushwaha suddenly, Soni shot back "how can you tell CBI what to do and when? CBI was probing it for long. If people have to be raided, they will be raided. If somebody has to be sent to jail, he will be. There is no question of us picking on anybody."