Two BJP MPs depose before Panel in note-for-vote scam

New Delhi, Aug 7 (UNI) Two of the three BJP MPs, who stunned the nation by displaying wads of currency notes totalling Rs one crore in Lok Sabha a few hours before the July 22 trust vote, were today questioned by the seven-member Parliamentary Panel on different aspects of the cash-for-vote scam, including the veracity of the CDs which allegedly contain visuals to prove the bribe charge.

While Mr Ashok Argal and Faggan Singh Kulaste deposed before the panel for nearly two-and-a-half-hours, the third MP Mahavir Bhagora could not appear before it as he is recuperating from a bypass surgery.

Talking to UNI, Panel Chairman Kishore Chandra Deo said the audio and video CDs were "quite clear." However, Mr Argal and Mr Kulaste told mediaperson that the tapes regarding the sting operation had been tampered with.

Panel sources said that such an allegation was not levelled before it by the two MPs.

The two MPs, who jointly deposed before the committee, contended that their version was not recorded in the tapes.

Earlier, both the MPs insisted that they would appear together as they had given a joint complaint to the Speaker.

During the deposition, the Committee asked the two MPs to substantiate their charge that money was given to them as bribes to vote for the Manmohan Singh government on July 22.

The two MPs demanded that all those connected with the scam should be questioned so that the truth could be brought out.

UNI BKS/SH RP KN2025