Press Trust of India Posted online: Monday, December 12, 2005 at 1107 hours IST Updated: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at 0522 hours IST
New Delhi, December 12: The BJP on Monday announced immediate suspension of about half a dozen Members of Parliament caught on camera purportedly taking bribes for raising questions in Parliament.
After a meeting with senior party leaders and consultations with former Prime Minster Atal Behari Vajpayee, BJP president L K Advani also announced institution of an internal inquiry into the television expose.
Meanwhile, even Congress suspended its Member of Parliament from Gwalior Ram Sewak Singh for taking money purportedly for raising questions in the House.
"Eventhough there are six BJP MPs caught on camera doing what they should not be doing- illegal gratification acceptance, and of other parties, but Congress did not waste even a single minute to suspend our MP," said AICC General Secretary Ambika Soni.
Describing the exposé as a matter of grave concern for BJP, Advani, who is also Leader of the Opposition, told reporters that he had spoken to Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on the issue and told him, "it was a serious issue and should be taken seriously."
He said that based on the party's internal inquiry, "if necessary, we will refer it to the Privileges Committee."
Advani, who was flanked by senior leaders Jaswant Singh and Venkaiah Naidu, said some office bearers have spoken to some of the MPs allegedly involved in the scam.
"It is a matter of concern for us. When the whole country is debating probity in public life, our own MPs have been charged with showing greed for raising questions in Parliament," he said.
Asked as to against how many MPs, the party has taken action, Advani said he was not aware of the exact details but "a decision has been taken in principle with regard to all of them."
New Delhi, December 12: The BJP on Monday announced immediate suspension of about half a dozen Members of Parliament caught on camera purportedly taking bribes for raising questions in Parliament.
