BJP dharna for Minister's sacking

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, NOV. 27.

Stepping up the campaign against the Sheila Dikshit Government, the Delhi unit of the BJP today held a massive demonstration outside Old Secretariat here to demand dismissal of the Food and Supplies Minister, Dr. Yoganand Shastri, and a CBI inquiry against other Ministers against whom allegations of corruption have surfaced during the recent months. A number of party MLAs and senior leaders took part in the programme.

The dharna, led by the Delhi BJP president, Mr. Mange Ram Garg, termed the Sheila Dikshit Government as corrupt and wanted a thorough investigation of the charges made against it from various forums. Speaker after speaker said Ms. Dikshit was patronising corruption and was herself facing probe by the Lokayukta. This is the reason, they said, Ms.Dikshit was afraid of asking her Minister to resign even after severe strictures had been passed by the Lokayukta which had been further confirmed by the action taken by the Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. Vijai Kapoor.

The BJP leaders expressed surprise over the fact that the Congress party, which has been talking about morality in public life and had been crying hoarse about corruption in the Central Government was itself now protecting a tainted Minister. Mr. Garg said Dr. Shastri should have resigned on his own after he was found guilty of favouring his kith and kin and making illegal appointments in the Apna Bazar Cooperative Store throwing all rules and regulations to the winds. In addition, Mr. Garg said the Delhi Transport Minister, Mr. Parvez Hashmi, had been found involved in the advertisement and hoarding scam. The Deputy Leader in the Delhi Assembly, Mr.Sishpal, had been found involved in illegal sale of government land and indulging in forgery of documents.

The Leader of the Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, said the BJP would continue its agitation till Dr. Shastri submitted his resignation or is sacked. He said Dr. Shastri had made 150 illegal appointments in the Store and committed fraud to ensure pecuniary gains to his son-in-law and another relative in the Store. Warning that they would not sit quietly, Prof. Mukhi said the Winter Session of the Assembly, beginning on December 18, would not be allowed to function if the Minister does not resign.

Prof. Mukhi had written to the Union Home Minister, Mr.L.K. Advani, about the charges against Dr. Shastri. Mr.Advani had written back informing that he had asked the Lieutenant-Governor, to look into the matter and send a report. Others who took part in the dharna included the Chief Whip of the BJP in Delhi Assembly, Mr. Nand Kishore Garg, Mr. Ram Bhaj, Mr. Brahm Singh Tanwar and Mr. Puran Chand Yogi, MLAs. The Yuva Morcha president, Mr. Yogendra Chandolia, announced that the BJP youth workers would hold a dharna outside the house of Dr. Shastri and not allow him to move out till he submits his resignation.

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