Arrest Laxman, Jaya Jaitly, says Congress

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 28. The Congress today demanded the arrest of the former BJP president, Mr. Bangaru Laxman, and the former Samata Party president, Ms. Jaya Jaitly, in the wake of the recommendations of the CBI Special Public Prosecutor, Mr. R.M. Tewary, to register cases against those featuring in the Tehelka expose.

Mr. Tewary today recommended to the CBI Director that cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act be registered as the tapes provided sufficient evidence against politicians, army officials, bureaucrats and businessmen.

The Congress spokesman, Mr. Jaipal Reddy, said that the opposition view had now been endorsed by the CBI special public prosecutor and that the Government should now arrest Mr. Laxman and Ms. Jaitly. ``Justice has already been delayed, it should not be denied,'' he said.

Urging the Government to allow the law of the land to operate against those found guilty, the Congress said the judicial inquiry should not be used for not taking action. The party voiced its reservations about the inquiry ordered by the Government, specially its terms of reference, and described it as a ``premeditated eyewash''. The manner in which the Government was moving against the Home Ministry official, Mr. Mathew, betrays the fact that the Government ``had become a nervous wreck''.

The party also took a swipe at the NDA leaders for rushing to the Samata Party treasurer, Mr R.K. Jain, for certificates of conduct. ``The manner in which they are rushing to a self- confessed arms dealer for a good conduct certificate is both pathetic and a sorry spectacle''. If the leaders were innocent, they should file defamation suits against Mr. Jain.

On the resignations of the three jury members from the Features Film jury, Mr. Reddy, a former I&B Minister, said ``prima facie there was a large element of truth in the allegations made by them''. There was no doubt that the NDA was trying to saffronise everything, including culture and films.

CBI examining complaint

PTI, UNI report:

The CBI has begun examining a complaint filed by Mr. Tewary seeking registration of a case against those figuring in the Tehelka expose, agency sources said.

The application, which was addressed to the CBI Director, Mr. R.K. Raghavan, had been sent for examination by its legal department.

JD(U) backs Laxman

The Janata Dal (United) today came in support of Mr. Laxman stating that there was no need for him to quit from his Rajya Sabha seat unless indicted by the judicial probe.

The party spokesman, Mr. Mohan Prakash, said Mr. Laxman had already resigned from the party post following the allegations. ``It is up to the BJP to decide on the issue after the probe results are out''.

He said the demand for resignation of the NDA Government was coming from parties like the Congress, who were running away from discussion in Parliament or from the judicial probe. It was also ironical that ``chargesheeted leaders'' like the Bihar Chief Minister, Mr. Rabri Devi, and her husband, Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav, were supporting such demand.

Laxman rejects resignation demand

Meanwhile, Mr. Laxman rejected demands for his resignation from Rajya Sabha and asserted he was not a ``burden'' to the party.

``I don't think I am a burden for the party and that is why I need not resign from my Rajya Sabha seat,'' he told PTI-Bhasha.

He said those who were demanding his resignation from Rajya Sabha and the party had no basis for seeking it.

Mr. Laxman said he had met the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, thrice since his resignation as party president and Mr. Vajpayee had told him that this ``turmoil'' would end soon.

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