Cong for CBI probe into alleged sale of petrol pumps by BJP

New Delhi, Sep 1 (UNI) The Congress today demanded that the case relating to the admission by the BJP in its own inquiry report of having received Rs 18 crores in the sale of petrol pumps in Kerala during the NDA regime should be probed by the CBI and criminal prosecution launched against the guilty.

The Congress also demanded that the Kerala Government have a case registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and ensure that the written report of the BJP is not destroyed.

Reacting to a news report published in an English daily to this efect, Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi described it as yet another instance of the BJP's claim to being a party with a difference.

Accusing the BJP of having institutionalised corruption, Mr Singhvi said the BJP's own inquiry report spoke of the party having received only Rs 2 crore out of the Rs 18 crores which the sale of the petrol pumps fetched to the party in Kerala through commission.

He wondered why the party did not declare it in the return filed before the Election Commission.

Quoting the newspaper report, Mr Singhvi said even the thieves had their own code of conduct but in this particular case the remaining Rs 16 crores earned by the BJP were not accounted for and siphoned off by the party's own leaders without giving a share into it to others. Those who did not get a share in the booty were outraged and complained to those conducting the inquiry.

Stating that the BJP had now started distancing itself from this controversy, he demanded immediate action into the matter and disclosure of full probe report.

UNI YS RP HS1952