The main Opposition BJP, which had often accused the ruling Congress of using investigating agencies as a “political tool,” on Tuesday claimed the Congress-led UPA is now using and pressurising the judiciary as well to “blackmail” Opposition parties and have its way, a charge rejected by the government. “The CBI is being misused. The CBI and the judiciary are being used to blackmail Opposition parties. Such facts are coming to light,” said BJP chief Nitin Gadkari.
But Union law minister Salman Khurshid, while playing down the allegation, rejected it saying that such statements have “no importance.”
“If someone makes such an allegation, it has no importance. Are there any facts...Judiciary has a respectable place in our system. Even Parliament cannot interfere in its functioning,” Mr Khurshid said. Mr Gadkari said his party wants the country to have an “impartial and fair” judiciary as it is one of the pillars of democracy with legislature, executive and the media.
“The intention behind what (West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC chief) Mamata Banerjee has said is that it is being seen that the judiciary is also being put under pressure by the government,” Mr Gadkari said. Ms Banerjee had last month said that a section of the judiciary is corrupt and that there are instances where court judgements have been bought for money.
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UNWELL SUSHMA MAY SKIP MEET
AGE CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, SEPT. 25
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj was admitted to AIIMS on September 16 as she was suffering from cough and cold, severe chest congestion and viral fever. Since, Swaraj is a diabetic, several tests were done to ensure that she is not suffering from any other complications. The tests were done as per the advice of the doctors attending on her.
Ms Swaraj is admitted in the Cardiac and Neuro Centre of AIIMS. An Echocardiogram test was done, the reports of which came out to be normal.
Doctors have kept 60-year-old Swaraj under observation for the last nine days and may discharge her in a couple of days, sources said.
However, it is not clear if Swaraj will be in a position to attend three-day BJP National Executive and National Council meeting beginning from Wednesday. The doctors, meanwhile have asked her to take rest.