Congress questions BJP, AAP on Chautala parole issue

The Congress on Thursday questioned both the BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on the issue of the parole plea of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and alleged moves to transfer him to Bathinda jail in Punjab.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on Wednesday rejected the October 5 parole plea of Chautala for medical treatment.

"We are aware that Chautala was sentenced by the Supreme Court for corruption in the teachers' recruitment case. The moment the media came out with the story, there was a flurry of statements - both by the Lt. governor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

"It appears there is something suspicious, given the promptness with which both issued statements," Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar told media persons here.

Chautala is lodged in Tihar Jail in Delhi after his conviction.

"We also got to know that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal spoke to his Delhi counterpart regarding Chautala's transfer from the jail. It is very interesting to see that Kejriwal has issued so many statements to oppose parole but has not spoken a single word on Chautala's transfer to Bathinda (jail)," he added.

The Congress leader posed a few questions to the central government led by the BJP. "What alliance exists between the Indian National Lok Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party? What instructions were given by the Modi government to the LG regarding the transfer of Chautala to Bathinda jail in Punjab? What is Modi government's stand on grant of parole to Chautala?" he asked.

Kumar also asked Arvind Kejriwal if he met Dushyant Chautala (INLD MP from Hisar and a grandson of OP Chautala) and what the meeting was about, demanding that he make the details of the alleged meeting and discussions that followed public.

The Congress leader also asked if Badal spoke to Kejriwal on Chautala's transfer to Bathinda jail and whether Kejriwal agreed not to object to such transfer.

"The BJP fought the 2014 Vidhan Sabha elections in Haryana saying it was against the Chautala-led INLD. But now the BJP government at the Centre, through the LG, is giving instructions to ensure that either Chautala is transferred from Tihar jail or parole is granted to him as quickly as possible," the Congress leader remarked.