First the denial, then the disgrace

First the denial, then the disgrace
SHARAD GUPTA

NEW DELHI, March 13: BJP President Bangaru Laxman was the first casualty of the Tehelka tapes. Although he quit late tonight, he did try to put up a brave front after the tapes were aired on television. He admitted to The Indian Express that he took money, but clarified it was for the party and not for any personal purpose. He strongly denied the allegation that he is involved in defence deals.

``So many people come to me everyday with cheques, bank drafts or even cash for the party. I often refer them to party's treasurer Ved Prakash Goel. Sometimes, I receive the money myself and send it to Goel later,'' a visibly rattled Laxman told The Indian Express.

That Laxman was set to fend for himself was evident when none of the BJP leaders came out in his support after the Tehelka story appeared.

Laxman on his part tried to describe the Tehelka story as a political conspiracy hatched by the Congress. ``Why else was the entire media department of the Congress along with party's deputy leader in Lok Sabha present at Tehelka's press conference since it started at 2.30 p.m. And they rushed to raise the issue in Parliament at 3 p.m. proving that they had the entire transcript in advance,'' he said. His explanation was the Congress was jittery about him, a Dalit, making inroads into their Dalit vote bank.

When asked why he accepted cash when the party had decided after the Hawala scandal not to accept cash donations, Laxman says the idea was not practical. ``You can't run a big party like the BJP without accepting cash donations,'' he said.

Laxman also does not remember whether a receipt was issued to Westend (Tehelka's fictitious company) for the amount given to him. ``Goelji would be knowing that. I am trying to get in touch with him,'' he said.

After he took over as BJP chief in August, Laxman has had a rather low-key tenure meeting foreign dignitaries and visiting various states. He never hogged the limelight except for when he took over and issued the now-famous Nagpur Message welcoming minorities and Dalits to the BJP.