Accuses Centre of scuttling attempts for thorough probe into 2G scam
The BJP on Sunday formulated a political strategy making corruption the main plank of its poll campaign against the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre. The political resolution adopted at the party's two-day national executive here spelt out this strategy.
If Bofors brought down Mr. Clean (Rajiv Gandhi) why cannot the 2G spectrum scandal dirty the spotless image of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh? And can the BJP push the Opposition agenda to create some doubts about the integrity of Congress president Sonia Gandhi? Should it directly target her or will this strategy back-fire?
These questions formed the backbone of the discussions at the national executive even as it was decided that the political resolution would focus on corruption and this would be the number one poll plank of the party.
One senior BJP leader said: “The prathan kunji [main lever of power] in this government is Sonia Gandhi. When we talk of the First Family or the Government, we are actually targeting her even if she is not named.”
The resolution made it clear that for the BJP, the political situation today was akin to what it was when Rajiv Gandhi became the target of attacks on the Bofors kickbacks issue.
The five-page resolution recalled the party's Ernakulum resolution of 1988, which said that Rajiv Gandhi, who began his political career as ‘Mr. Clean,' later “emerged as Mr. Disaster” and was “giving the country a scandal a day.”
It went on to quote from the 1988 resolution, which noted: “The country is being ruled today by faceless men with multiple mysterious foreign links.”
Today, the resolution said, it was a similar situation. “In 2010, today's Prime Minister gave us a scandal a day,” it said, adding that this government, as the one in 1988, was scuttling attempts for a comprehensive inquiry even as “faceless men with mysterious foreign links are emerging in the Radia tapes and in tax havens, and the CBI is belatedly searching for them.” The BJP has announced a plan to hold meetings focusing on corruption at the block level for a month from January 20, and a mass contact programme in March.
Keywords: Bofors scandal, 2G scam, CWG scam, NDA rally
Comments:
A story in Hindustan Times of January 9, 2011 says 'Former BJP president Rajnath Singh demanded that [Sonia] Gandhi agree to get her role [in Bofors] probed by any agency'. Why does she have to 'agree' to have her role probed? The CBI has been probing the case and the CBI or the police don't seek the 'permission ' of a suspect to probe his or her role; is there anyone else in India whose 'permission' the CBI or the police has sought to probe his or her role in a crime? Isn't Rajnath Singh treating her as the 'Empress of India' who cannot be probed by the CBI or the police?
"Former BJP president Rajnath Singh demanded that [Sonia] Gandhi agree to get her role [in Bofors] probed by any agency" (Hindustan Times Jan. 9 '11). Why does she have to AGREE to have her role probed? Is there anyone else in India whose PERMISSION the CBI or the police has sought to probe his or her role in a crime? Isn't Rajnath Singh treating her as the empress of India who cannot be probed by the CBI or the police unless she gives her permission? Shouldn't the demand be made to the CBI that it probe her role? The fact that he is asking that she AGREE to have her role probed shows he, like all other Indians, considers her the empress of India who cannot be probed unless she INVITES the CBI to probe her. They -- including Indian courts -- treat her like the empress of India because she is white.
About a decade ago, I had suggested in a letter to the press that Sonia be thrown out of an airplane. At this, a Muslim press cartoonist in New Delhi published a cartoon showing her being thrown out of an airplane. At this he was brutally tortured and murdered and his body dumped in a ditch outside Delhi for showing my 'influence' as I said in letters to the press at the time just as Indira and Rajiv were killed by C.I.A.-RAW for showing my 'influence'; see my blog (below).
I am India's expert in strategic defence and the father of India's strategic program, including the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. My blog titled 'Nuclear Supremacy For India Over U.S.' which can be found by a Yahoo search with the title answers all questions. Satish Chandra
Yeah, right - and Yedurappa their flag bearer? If they have the guts, they should get Yedurappa out first and then ...
If common man of India needs to believe BJP will weed out corruption if incase they are brought into power in first place, for which sake, Nitin Gadkari and petu-ram (fat bellied) people like him in BJP side, should first reduce they belly size for a start. Else people would probably think that with Nitin's belly size being so big without his party being in power, not sure how much money the belly will consume more incase if its is brought into power...:o)...
Unless the BJP takes some action against the CM of Karnataka,they will sound hollow.There are more criminal law makers belonging to the BJP party than any other political party.Clean up your own stable.
The major political parties are indulging in mud slinging at each other looks like "pot calling kettle black". They by and large, attacking their opponents on this score to thrive on politically. Is there any party for that matter do have the strong political conviction to eradicate corruption to the maximum extent possible ? I agree - corruption is a global phenomena no doubt. But at what magnitude and level of tolerance ? For instance, India's black money to the tune of more than 1.4 trillion US.dollars are stashed in Swiss Banks. Our country is topping the world combine. Is it not disgraceful for the country to be on world record ? This amount constitutes 40% of the country's GDP. I am told that the Govt. can clear the country's entire foreign debt at one-go besides running the state tax-free for about 30 years to go. Imagine the shape of India's shape in the world economy? The all the major political parties in India should exert pressure on the Govt. to bring back the black money stashed in Swiss Banks into the main stream of country,s economy lest posterity will not pardon them
its really sad that BJP has realised that corruption is there in India just this period after independence. The Polls have come and BJP has realised that this time they need to run on the piggy ride with corruption as the focus. Its high time BJP think with development as the factor rather than abstaining and doing everything for political populist motives. To run for polls every party needs to come up with a presentation on development and schemes rather than criticising. Criticising is not a solution and so I personally feel it needs to end up the Hindu Fanatism and more concrete solutions with development. The "Prime Ministerial Dream" of Mr Advani's is empty and it needs more Country's Growth Oriented.
Will the BJP also highlight the corruption going on in Karnataka, MadhyaPradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar and Gujarat(the BJP ruled states).
Its absolutely necessary that corruption needs to be fought,but if its only for mud-slinging then it does not give any respite from this menace.
Instead of accusing others it would be better if the BJP does some soul searching and try to cleanse itself of this menace.
Whoever is willing to cleanup this menace sincerely, the people of India are with him always.
Corruption has destroyed the basic fabric of our country which is listed almost on the top in the most corrupt countries list. It has spread like cancer and seems to be beyond a solution. It is at all levels and all rungs of the society. It is the politicians who are to blame for corrupting the whole society. It cannot be imagined that the Prime Minister or other Ministers are not aware of its wide network and how it works. A common man who has to face the corrupt machinery at all levels feels the pangs of it. A vast majority of the politicians irrespective of the party they belong to are not immune from it. Unfortunately, only the political parties are only concerned about the scams and rightly so because such scams have been looting the country and the common man. But unearthing of a scam or two and getting the guilty punished is no solution to root out corruption. In fact, while the opposition mounts an attack to gain political mileage, those in power ensure that opposition is proved wrong and the net result of various scams which have been highlighted in the recent past has been zero. The BJP's campaign against corruption is laudable but it must also clean its own house. It must ensure that not a single agency or an individual under their governments dares to take bribe. Of course, it would be hope against hope but still all parties if they are really honest and sincere in eradicating corruption should sit together and find out ways and means to eradicate corruption at all levels if this country has to become one of the leading countries in the world.
All this hot air without a SINGLE word on how the BJP would tackle the corruption of the average Indian. It is India's society that is corrupt, not just the politicians. Most Indians would rather pay a bribe to get ahead rather than complain and patiently wait for the results of their duty. I have no faith in this country, no matter who rules.
While Congress and UPA are synonymous with corruption, BJP is not far away as seen from Karnataka events. Public are watching every step of BJP before assigning them with power to regovern the nation. It would be appropriate for BJP to seek the opinion and blessings of respected Vajpayeeji before precipitating things in the forthcoming parliamant sessions.
A black cat ,in a drak room ,after night ,closing the eyes and looting/drinking milk thinks no one is watching .Well BJP must clean itself with caustic soda 100% conc before they talk other totally corrupt parties like congress and others TRS etc.Immoral Corruption can exist but not illegal ya.
When a Person prayed god for years and atlast when the God w !as there to give him a boon .He asked I want to be a honest politician .God said " Like dinosaureurs it is extinct and can not be brough back.
Glad to hear that a major political party like the BJP in India is making corruption their agenda item for its political campaign against the Congress. What i dont understand is the reason for the BJP not to have taken up the issue on the Bofors during their 5 year rule at the Center.
BJP making corruption a poll issue may not fetch much support as, unfortunately, it does not itself come clean on it. They need to focus on the miseries of the common man during UPA e.g. price rise, terrorism, humiliating majority community by terming them as terrorists, and nationalist-agnostic governance. The common man sees corruption through the prices of the commodities and services of his regular use, the bribe amount and frequency, and the maintenance of the basic amenities (education, transport, supplies, security). BJP needs to promise improvement is them and reduction in corruption. Corruption has entered our veins as the family itself teaches a child to earn money by hook or by crook and deifies those members who earn more money.
Unfortunately, for an Indian voter, the choice has always been the best of the worst. At present, from this angle, BJP would stand a better chance as they are seen as less corrupt than the Congress, until they prove otherwise in future.