BJP releases White Paper to demand investigation into CWG corruption

New Delhi, Aug.3 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday released a 'White Paper' demanding investigations into allegations of corruption and financial irregularities in preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Members of the BJP said that some people of the ruling Congress party were "converting 'common wealth' into 'individual wealth'" and in that situation the Opposition parties cannot be expected to remain mum "violent corruption" was taking place.

Blaming the authorities for being "not serious" about the corruption allegations in Games-related projects, M. Venkaiah Naidu, the BJP Vice-President, today demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention.

"I don't want to blame any individual, I hold the government responsible. Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Urban Development, and also the concerned officials who are involved in it, they all have to take the blame. They cannot be silent spectators. I want Prime Minister Office should organize high level investigation on the whole matter and must take actions for this delay in work, and must try to finish the work of Commonwealth games quickly. They must take essential steps to improve the quality of work. Giving sponsorship to an Australian Company instead of a Public Sector company is simply insane," said Naidu.

Meanwhile, Union Sports Minister M. S. Gill said the government is serious about considering all corruption charges even after the Games are over.

"The Ministry has been very clear, last two years that any complaints of any kind, it has to be dealt with promptly and sent or taken up with the appropriate authorities," Gill said.

"If things come up even in the future, after all 16th of October is not the end of the show, that will all be looked into by all authorities, and I can assure you that the government is serious about it," Gill added.

Gill further said that he did not want to argue about the loopholes, which were brought up.

There has been a constant debate from politicians and the general public on the preparations for the CWG over the alleged poor quality of construction work.

India is expecting about two million tourists in New Delhi for the Games, as well as about 10,000 athletes from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states.

The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be held from 3 to 14 October in New Delhi. (ANI)