The Congress on Wednesday said that the cash-for-vote scam was a matter between former Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and the BJP and there is “not a shred of evidence against any Congress leader”.
Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi termed as a “classic example of the BJP trying to mislead the nation” the BJP’s contention that two of its ex-MPs and Mr L.K. Advani’s former aide Sudheendra Kulkarni were innocent and only trying to “expose” the use of money to save the UPA-I government during the trust vote. “The arguments being made by the BJP are hilarious and ridiculous. It is a matter between the BJP and Amar Singh. Where (do) I come into (the picture)?” he asked, but clarified that he is not passing a judgement that Mr Amar Singh is guilty.
He added the BJP has not been able to produce one concrete evidence to suggest the involvement of any Congressman. “... Whatever evidence is there points to only two gentlemen (ex BJP MPs who brought cash to Parliament),” Mr Singhvi said in response to a volley of questions. He said the BJP had sensed a golden opportunity to topple the UPA government at the time of the nuclear deal leading to the trust vote but later realised that like-minded parties will back the government to see it survives.
“Then they thought they could grab power by spreading doubts and suspicion about the vote of confidence... That is why the prank and childish action of BJP MPs of bringing cash in Parliament,” he claimed.
Asked about the BJP’s allegations about use of money power to save the UPA government, Mr Singhvi said these arguments are based on mere speculation.
Mr Singhvi said there are many lawyers in the BJP and they should be knowing the law.
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saxena bail plea rejected
AGE CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Sept. 28
The bail plea of Mr Sanjeev Saxena, arrested Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh’s former aide and a co-accused in the cash-for-vote case, was rejected by the court along with Mr Amar Singh’s bail pleas.
The court narrated the incident of when Mr Ashok Argal, Mr Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mr Mahabir Singh Bhagora (then BJP MPs) displayed wads of currency notes of `1 crore from bags with them and placed the same on the table of the House.
“And there is no need to discuss the evidence threadbare and elaborate the same further touching the merits of the case as it may prejudice the case of the accused applicant (Singh) as well as the case of other accused,” it said.