The BJP and the Opposition debated over the fine points of the Judeo tape controversy today while referring to the Jogi controversy without naming Ajit Jogi, as per the rules of the House.
After the Prime Minister’s statement in the Lok Sabha today, the BJP tried defending Judeo while the Opposition demanded a joint Parliamentary inquiry into the case.
SP’s Ramjilal Suman called Vajpayee’s statement ‘‘bland’’ and said that his claim that the government does not interfere with the CBI does not hold ground keeping in view the government’s ‘‘history of corruption’’. He demanded an explanation on why Judeo was sacked. ‘‘I am sure the government wanted to save Judeo and but for the Assembly elections, he would have been,’’ he said. ‘‘We want to know what kind of probe is being held into the episode when Judeo himself has accepted he has taken the money,’’ he said.
In his defence of Judeo, BJP MP Anadi Charan Sahu said: ‘‘It is alleged that this was being done for an Australian firm. But I feel, the Australians would know whether the minister can be useful. Judeo was not capable of giving any benefit.’’
‘‘He was in-charge of wildlife development and environment education. A firm which comes all the way from Australia will not spend money on a man who has nothing to do with the project,’’ he said.
Referring to Jogi as a ‘‘megalomaniac’’ bent on retaining power even when he lost the mandate, Sahu said: ‘‘Judeo at least did not take money to thwart democracy. He said he took the money for stopping conversions.’’
Congress MP Pawan Bansal found it hilarious that if Sahu was right then BJP ministers accepted money even when they could not do anything for a project. ‘‘This is a double fraud. Even a person who cannot give the benefit, which he knows is being sought from him, still takes the bribe. For the BJP anyone who comes is welcome, they would immediately take them to five-star hotels,’’ he said. ‘‘I appreciated the PM when he accepted Judeo’s resignation. But as usual, the next day there was ambivalence in his stand,’’ Bansal said.
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