Ball is now in Centre's court: UP CM on CD case

Lucknow, Feb 2: Having recommended a CBI probe into the controversial CD released by the BJP during the last assembly elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati now maintains that the ball is now in the Centre's court.

Addressing the media here, Ms Mayawati said now it was upto the Centre to file a chargesheet against the BJP leaders, including its national president Rajnath Singh. She maintained that after recommended a CBI probe, the issue was now in the hands of the Union government, she added. The case filed in this regard by the state government has named BJP president Rajnath Singh, who in his political endeavour dared to arrest him giving the entire issue a political turn.

Meanwhile, BJP workers all over the state demonstrated against the action of the state government with reports of party activists engaging in vociferous protests at several places in the state reaching the state capital.

A couple of days ago, the Chief Minister had announced the government's decision to go for a CBI probe into the BJP's controversial CD episode, which rocked the state during the last assembly poll.

The BJP president, former leader of the opposition in the state assembly Lalji Tandon and eight others were accused of releasing the controversial CD, said to be the tool to instigate communal violence.

''We decided for the CBI probe to prevent any political allegation on the government over the sensitive nature of the case,'' Ms Mayawati underlined.

The CM, however, maintained that during the Lucknow police investigation, it was found that several senior BJP leaders were involved in the release of the controversial CD.

She also categorically said that during investigation, it was also found that the alleged CD was meant to create communal tension for gaining political mileage.

Earlier, the Lucknow police had claimed that the chargesheet was incomplete and the investigation was still in progress against 10 party leaders, including Rajnath Singh and Mr Tondon in connection with its release during the last Assembly election.

Congress had charged the ruling BSP with trying to defend the BJP in the controversial CD case by recommending a CBI probe into the matter.

AICC general secretary in charge of UP affairs Digvijay Singh said since the case was already investigated by Lucknow police, there was no need to go for a CBI probe. To a poser, the former Madhya Pradesh CM clamed that it was an effort to shield the BJP.

There is no confirmation yet from the CBI whether it is going to take up the case or not.

UNI