New Delhi: CPI on Monday wanted to know why
Army chief Gen VK Singh did not go public before with his
allegation that he was offered a hefty bribe by an equipment
lobbyist and is saying it now.
"All these days he (Army chief) was quiet. After a
decision on his age was taken, now he is saying all these. Why
did he not say it before?" CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said.
"It indicates something is wrong...I must assume there
are more officers like him, who are not saying truth,"
Dasgupta said adding "There should be an independent inquiry
into this and not by CBI."
In an interview to a newspaper, the Army chief alleged
that an equipment lobbyist offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crore,
which he had reported to the Defence Minister.
The Army chief said the lobbyist offered him the bribe
in order to have a tranche of 600 sub-standard vehicles of a
particular make cleared for purchase.
The CPI leader also attacked on key Team Anna member
Arvind Kejriwal alleging the activist was getting funds from
abroad.
Asked to comment on Kejriwal`s allegation against 14
ministers, the CPI MP said "I do not want to speak anything on
Kejriwal. He is getting funds from a US Foundation...There are
many allegations against him also. If he has any proof, then
he should submit it to Parliament."
However, Dasgupta said that "I am speaking against
Kejriwal does not mean I am supporting the government. We know
there is corruption in the government. We know there are
corrupt ministers in the government."
On the demand for commuting the death sentence Balwant
Singh Rajoana, sentenced to death for the killing of former
Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, Dasgupta said "it is a
dangerous trend. Even a death sentence is politicised. Justice
delayed is justice denied."
PTI
