Congress attacks Bedi, says she faced FIR

The Congress Tuesday hit out at the BJP's chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi over her credentials as an administrator and said she was made the face of the campaign due to "dearth" of leaders in the party.

The Congress also said an FIR was filed against Bedi over alleged loss to the exchequer when she was inspector general of prisons but the case was closed last year during President's Rule in Delhi.

Congress leader Anand Sharma also targeted the Aam Aadmi Party over allegations that it had accepted funds from "dubious companies" in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls last year.

Sharma said the Bharatiya Janata Party should answer why the FIR against Bedi was closed, and also about her being "removed" by some states where she was posted.

"When she was IG (inspector general) prisons, there were some complaints. The Delhi High Court directed Delhi Police to register an FIR. It was closed during central rule in Delhi," Sharma said.

He said the FIR concerned "misuse of position" which led to loss to the exchequer.

Sharma said Bedi was brought as the chief ministerial candidate for her administrative experience as there was "dearth" of leaders in the BJP.

"Why was she removed from Mizoram? Why she was removed from Chandigarh and Goa? If answers are not provided till tomorrow (Wednesday), we will disclose the reasons," he said.

He also accused Bedi of taking business class travel expenses from her hosts while travelling economy class. Bedi has earlier dismissed allegations of any wrongdoing.

Sharma asked if Navjyoti Foundation, an NGO conceived by Bedi, had got foreign funding. He said details of organisations which donated money to the NGO should be made public.

"Are people who take foreign funds eligible for high office?" Sharma asked.