'6 of 11 were BJP MPs': Congress on ‘cash-for-query’ scam after PM Modi's speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Lok Sabha a day after Congress's Rahul Gandhi's attack on his government, lashed out at the 10 years of UPA rule, saying it had "bled the country dry".

Published on: Feb 10, 2023, 15:43:53 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Congress on Friday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for blaming the grand old party for “losing opportunities” to scams and corruption cases during its 10-year rule. Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, said that the prime minister blamed the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for a "cash-for-query scam when in fact 6 of 11 involved were BJP MPs", adding that the Bharatiya Janata Party walked during the vote to expel the members following the resolutions moved by Pranab Mukherjee and Manmohan Singh in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, respectively.

“In his long rant yesterday, PM blamed UPA for the cash-for-query scam when in fact 6 of 11 involved were BJP MPs. It’s BJP that walked out during the vote to expel the MPs, after resolutions moved by Pranab-da & Dr. Singh. Would the Chair now expunge PM’s lies?” Ramesh tweeted, posting a Hindustan Times report on the 2005 “cash-for-query” scam.

The “cash-for-query” scam pertains to a sting operation by online news site Cobrapost that showed the 11 MPs accepting cash in exchange for raising questions in the Parliament. Out of the 11 MPs accused in the case, six were from the BJP, three from BSP, and one each from the RJD and Congress.

What Prime Minister Modi said

Replying to the motion of thanks on the President's address in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Modi said that the Congress turned every opportunity into trouble, and listed the scams that grabbed the headlines from 2004-2014, including the “cash-for-vote” scam during the civil nuclear deal.

The cash-for-vote scam is related to the infamous incident in July 2008 when BJP MPs displayed wads of currency notes alleging that the UPA bribed them to survive a confidence vote after the Left Front withdrew its support on the issue of Indo-US civil nuclear deal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Congress

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.