Lodging of FIR against Chouhan surprised me: Patwa

Bhopal, Nov 17 (UNI) Senior BJP leader Sunder Lal Patwa today said he was surprised with the speed with which the FIR was lodged against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the much-debated dumpers' purchase case.

Mr Patwa told reporters here today that someone was behind Opposition Leader Jamuna Devi, who was raising the matter and media must attempt to find him out.

On whether he was pointing towards concerned agencies for lodging of the FIR against the CM, Mr Patwa said it was not the case but he was surprised with the move.

He said earlier the Congress had approached the Income-Tax department, the Lokayukta and the Supreme Court. The Congress had even filed a complaint before the District and Sessions Judge in Ratlam.

However, the petition was quashed stating that its motive appeared to gain cheap popularity.

On the demand for Mr Chouhan's resignation, he said, ''the Congress must look into its own deeds first. A FIR was lodged by the Lokayukt against Congress General Secretary and former Chief Minister Digvijay Singh in 2004. Senior JMM leader Shibu Soren did not resign as Union Minister until he was sentenced.'' Mr Patwa claimed that Mr Chouhan had provided no false information pertaining to the dumpers' purchase. The vehicles were purchased as per the prescribed rules and the allegation that false address was provided was baseless.

He said the party would take necessary steps in the matter and give a fitting reply to the Congress.

Meanwhile, Ms Devi alleged that Mr Chouhan was misleading in the and demanded his resignation for impartial inquiry.

In a statement, Ms Devi said ''Mr Chouhan had misused his position. The matter could be resolved by the court only.'' She criticised the Mr Chouhan's statement describing the matter as Congress-sponsored and said her party had only exposed his misdeeds.

UNI