Claiming to have initiated a public campaign against the alleged massive corruption in the Commonwealth Games, the Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday burnt an effigy of chief minister Sheila Dikshit, Games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Union sports minister M.S. Gill in the Chandni Chowk area, while alleging that these leaders have been responsible for heavy financial irregularities in the organisation of the sporting event.
Leading the protest, Delhi BJP chief Vijendra Gupta demanded stern punishment for all the persons involved in the misappropriation of funds under various Games projects.
“Ms Dikshit, who has indulged in open corruption of thousand of crores is now passing the buck to others and trying to escape responsibility. But the BJP will not allow her to succeed in her mission and compel her and others to account for every paisa spent on the Games,” alleged Mr Gupta, while levelling charges that “the chief minister has misappropriated about `700 crores of Schedule Caste Welfare Fund”.
The BJP leader went on to allege that just before the Games the foot-over-bridge at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the main venue of Games events and ceremonies, collapsed and the inquiry report was to be submitted within two days but the report has been suppressed till days. “The report on the collapse of foot-over-bridge should be made public immediately,” Mr Gupta demanded.
The BJP leader, however, expressed apprehension that the manner in which the Central government has formed a committee for inquiry into the corruption, many big fish may involved in the wrong-doings may escape.