BJP seeks JPC probe into CBI misuse

Looking to capitalise on the ruling fronts discomfiture over the Warren Anderson controversy,BJP chief Nitin Gadkari on Saturday demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe into the functioning of the CBI. In his inaugural speech at the two-day National Executive meeting here,the BJP president linked the Bhopal gas tragedy verdict to the disproportionate assets cases against …

Looking to capitalise on the ruling fronts discomfiture over the Warren Anderson controversy,BJP chief Nitin Gadkari on Saturday demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe into the functioning of the CBI.

In his inaugural speech at the two-day National Executive meeting here,the BJP president linked the Bhopal gas tragedy verdict to the disproportionate assets cases against Mulayam Singh Yadav,Mayawati and Lalu Prasad Yadav,claiming that the CBI is being used as a political tool by the Congress. He added the Ottavio Quattrocchi and the CBI probe into the encounter cases in Gujarat to the list of instances to show the mishandling of the agency.

While the nation is facing innumerable threats to its internal security,the government is forcing the CBI to work for its political designs. The CBI has become a tool of intimidation, Gadkari said,demanding a JPC probe into the misuse of the agency. He made it clear that the party is going to launch a nationwide campaign on the Bhopal issue and target Rajiv Gandhi in the coming days.

Why Arjun Singh is silent? There was a long discussion between Rajiv Gandhi and Arjun Singh. The Congress governments at the Centre and the state helped Anderson escape. The Congress must apologise to the nation, BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The BJP is using the National Executive session to find ways to corner the Congress-led government on three fronts price rise,Maoist situation and corruption. Gadkari said the political leadership of the UPA has no moral courage to seek answers from any of its partner ministers,be it Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar,Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel or Telecom Minister A Raja.

Gadkari talked about the Maoist situation and the party later passed a resolution,asking the Government to go for a three-pronged strategy to take on the ultras involving coordinated and strong action,initiating developmental activities and waging an ideological battle. It once again pledged its total support to the government on this count.

Yashwant,Hema skip meet

The internal discord in the BJP came to the fore on Saturday with some senior leaders skipping the first meeting of the newly-formed National Executive here. Yashwant Sinha and Hema Malini were among the prominent missing leaders,reflecting the discontent in the party,a challenge to party chief Nitin Gadkaris authority.

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The selection of candidates for the Rajya Sabha election has proved to be a source of discord in the party. Sinha is apparently miffed at not being consulted while deciding the BJP nominee for the Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhand while Hema Malini lost out in the race to the Upper House. While sources close to Sinha said he was unwell and could not make it to Patna,the party chose to play down his absence. Hema Malini,who was earlier tipped to be renominated to the Upper House from Rajasthan or Madhya Pradesh,was said to be away on a shoot.

Sources said that former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was also missing from the closed-door two-day conclave.