UPA misusing CBI to seek support from partners: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the ruling Congress Party over reports that the Samajwadi Party is likely to support the Food Security Ordinance during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that begins from August 5.

It said the Central Government is misusing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to seek support from partners who are otherwise in alliance with them.

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said it is absolutely clear that the Congress Party probably has entered into some kind of understanding with Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav so that his support is available for the passage of the Food Security Ordinance, which has been announced in haste.

"And therefore, yet another time, we have an instance where the Central Government is misusing the CBI to seek support from partners who are otherwise in alliance with them," she added.

Sitharaman said her party has always said that the CBI is being misused.

"And, as and when they (Congress) need support in the Parliament for any particular bill or resolutions that is going to be discussed or passed or even in the budget, we have seen in the last few years that very well-planned attempts are being made by misusing CBI too change affidavits in the court cases such that before seeking the help of these parties such as BSP and SP," said Sitharaman.

"They have harassed the political opponents, sought their supports and after having obtained their supports they go back to filing charges against them," he added.

The Congress Party, however, refused to comment on the issue.

"I do not think that we should comment on this as this case is still in court. We will get to know about court's decision tomorrow. If they are supporting, then it is not from today but they have been supporting us from outside," said Congress spokesperson Raj Babbar.

The Samajwadi Party had earlier opposed the Food Bill, saying it was anti-farmer.

The Congress, which needs the Samajwadi Party's support for other crucial bills in Parliament like Pensions and Insurance Bill as well, could help Mulayam Singh Yadav in corruption cases against him.

The biggest challenge for Mulayam at the moment is to get clean chit in disproportionate assets case. The Samajwadi Party supremo's review petition against an Election Commission order is pending in the Supreme Court.

In November 2005, Rae Bareli advocate Vishvanath Chaturvedi filed a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking a CBI inquiry into the assets of Mulayam Singh Yadav, sons Akhilesh and Prateek, and daughter-in-law Dimple.

He alleged the family had acquired properties in Lucknow, Etawah, etc, worth over Rs 100 crore, which were disproportionate to their known sources of income.