BJP demands JPC probe into Games; I-T raids party member

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) to probe the alleged financial bungling in the run-up to the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG). The demand came even as some claimed the BJP’s presentation of a police complaint they intend to make on the issue lacked evidence.

The BJP also demanded a high-powered coordination committee, headed by the cabinet secretary, to be set up to ensure an effective investigation to unearth the scandal, but presented no evidence either by way of paperwork or copies of contracts to suggest any wrongdoing.

“Action should be taken against whoever is involved. I have repeatedly said that strict action must be taken against anybody within the party or outside the party if they are found guilty of corruption. It is not about any party or individuals ,” BJP President Nitin Gadkari said.

Interestingly, even as senior BJP leaders were busy alleging that the central government, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), actively took part in corruption, officials of the Income Tax (I-T) Department raided the premises of businessman and BJP member Sudhanshu Mittal on charges of tax evasion in works related to CWG. I-T officials said two of Mittal’s firms had bagged projects worth Rs 230 crore during the Games.

When the BJP chief was asked about the raids against Mittal, known to be close to senior BJP leaders, Gadkari said: “Who is Sudhanshu Mittal? I don’t know him.”

He added the BJP leaders who were part of the Organising Committee were not part of any corruption. “Vijay Goel was a member but when he raised his voice against irregularities, he was thrown out of the Organising Committee. V K Malhotra also gave several dissenting notes and wrote letters but no action was taken. He has not taken even one rupee. The Organising Committee was like a one-man army,” Gadkari alleged.

Gadkari said Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Kapil Sibal, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Ajay Maken were also responsible for the mess because they were part of the 35-member Organising Committee.