The demand for an inquiry into the cash-for-vote scam by the Central Bureau of Investigation gained further impetus on Sunday when All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of Telangana affairs Digvijaya Singh made a strong case for it here.
Mr. Singh wanted the probe to cover not only the scam, but also allegations of phone-tapping made by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The Congress leaders of the State have quite often raised the demand since the scam broke out three weeks ago, but Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao preferred to wait till he got the report of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which is investigating the case. Mr. Rao had told media persons that a probe was already on and “let us wait for the report”.
At a press conference before addressing a meeting to commemorate late Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao’s 94th birth anniversary, Mr. Singh regretted that Mr. Naidu was crying hoarse about his phone being tapped instead of explaining his version of the scam.
To a question whether Section 8 of the Andhra Pradesh State Re-organisation Act, which gave special powers to the Governor to maintain law and order in Hyderabad should be invoked or not, Mr. Singh said it was law of the land once Parliament passed the Bill.
“It is for the government of India and governments of AP and Telangana to interpret the Act and apply it,” he said.
When a reporter pointed out that Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao opposed application of Section 8, he shot back: “You may ask Mr. Rao if he had supported a Bill that had such a section.”
Mr. called upon the Pradesh Congress Committees in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to work together and stand by Telugu-speaking people at a time when they needed them most, post-bifurcation.
He said it was the Congress that gave the final nod that made the 29{+t}{+h}State of the Indian Republic a reality, although it was not an easy decision.
However, he agreed that the party was unable to communicate this to voters in a manner that would have resulted in people supporting the Congress.
It was the first time since AP was bifurcated and Telangana was formed that seniors leaders of both States were found on a common platform to celebrate the birth anniversary of P.V. Narasimha Rao.
