Jogi Affair

Date: 
Sunday, December 7, 2003

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

On the Jogi Affair

The reported attempt by Ajit Jogi, outgoing Chief Minister of Chattisgarh, to bribe BJP legislators to defect deserves the strongest condemnation. It warrants an investigation and prosecution if prima facie evidence exists. The Congress party has already suspended Jogi.

It is strange, that the BJP leadership who have gleefully exposed this corrupt practice of a Congress leader, is refusing to take action against its leader and former Central Minister, Dilip Singh Judev. Here is a man who in similar circumstances was caught on camera taking money while being a public servant. The BJP not only defends him, but used him in the election campaign.

It is ironical, that the indictment of Jogi, was done by the Union Law Minister, Arun Jaitley, who defends Judev. Obviously the law for him is one-sided. The CPI (M) demands the immediate lodging of a case and the prosecution of Judev. The CBI inquiry in the matter is just a cover to obfuscate the matter. There can no double standards on taking action against the corrupt.

Both the BJP and the Congress are answerable to the people, as to why they harbour and promote persons who have no qualms about misusing their official positions and are amoral about their corruption.