MPPEB scam: CM rubbishes charges, to file defamation case

Congress has alleged that 19 candidates who were recruited in state transport department had links with Shivraj Sinhg Chouhan's wife

Releasing a list of more than three hundred candidates who were recruited as Transport Constable in state transport department through scam-ridden Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB), state government today brushed aside the Congress's allegations of involvement of Chief Minister Shivraj Sinhg Chouhan and his wife in the multi-crore scam.

"Not even a single candidate figured in the list who is from Gondia (Maharashtra)," Bhupendra Singh State transport minister here clarified today. He further said, "All the candidates recruited during 2012 examinations were from Madhya Pradesh. The list contains no address from Gondia as alleged by the Congress spokesperson."

The Congress had yesterday alleged that 19 candidates who were recruited in the state transport department had links with Chouhan's wife as these candidates belonged to her home town Gondia (Maharashtra).

Meanwhile, MP BJP president and Union minister Narendra Tomar said, "Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will sue them (Congress) for defamation. He is consulting law experts in this regard."

Chouhan earlier today told reporters that all information about allegations had been verified and have made all preparations to file a defamation case. "We would give statement in the court." He however did not take any names.

In few of his tweets Chouhan clarified his stand on the issue, "Did thru (through) Vyapam (MPPEB) 17 relatives of my wife from Gondia get selected in parivahan arakshak (Transport constable) exam? Not even one. Nor from entire Maharashtra." In another tweet he said, "They say that 139 phone calls from CM house and issue a Call Details Report (CDR) where not even one call number is from CM house."

He also tweeted, "Just as a lie has no legs to stand on, a CDR has no legs of its own. It requires substantiation. They do not even see the CDR."

"And I am not going to take it kindly. A clear case of defamation this is (sic).They will soon be served notice," he said in another tweet.

BJP's national vice-president Prabhat Jha also came to defend Chouhan and his family and said, "Frustration of defeat has gripped them (the Congress) and they are playing dirty politics against the chief minister and his family."

More than five hundred persons including students, parents, officials of MPPEB and an ex-Minister Laxmikant Sharma has been arrested in the case. They are being probed by a Special Task Force under charges of fraud, bribery and mustering support through canvassing.