Sanjiv is close aide of Amar Singh, claims BJP

New Delhi, Aug 20 (UNI) The BJP today came out with ''conclusive proof'' that Sanjiv Saxena who was allegedly involved in the 'cash for vote' scam ahead of the government's trial of strength in Parliament on July 22, was known to Samajwadi Party leader and MP Amar Singh.

The party released the copy of a letter dated June 2, 2008 written by Mr Amar Singh to the Principal of Dyal Singh College (evening) seeking admission in BCom (H) for the son of Sanjiv Saxena, whom he had described as his Secretary. The admission was sought under sports category.

BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said the letter had ''conclusively proved'' that Sanjiv Saxena had been working at the behest of Mr Amar Singh to bribe the three BJP MPs--Ashok Argal, Mahavir Bhagora and Faggan Singh Kulaste-- to either remain absent or vote in favour of the Manmohan Singh Government in the confidence motion.

"We hope the Parliamentary Committee will take cognisance of it and invite Mr Amar Singh for interrogation in connection with the scam," he said.

The Samajwadi leader had denied that Saxena was either close to him and working with him.

Mr Prasad said that the letter also ''belied'' Mr Singh's statement that Saxena along with former SP general secretary Shahid Siddiqui had deserted the party well before the confidence vote.

On a question regarding the status of Mr Sudeendra Kulkarni in BJP, he said Mr Kulkarni was a member of the party and moreover he had already deposed before the committee in which he had explained how he was associated ''with the sting operation to uncover the scam.'' UNI KAS/MCN RP HT1702