Bali, Oct 08: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today reacted with "sadness" to a series of charges levelled by BSP leader Mayawati against him in the wake of CBI raids on her premises in connection with the Taj corridor scam. "Whatever our political differences may be, I am very saddened by these allegations," he told reporters before leaving for Bangkok on the second leg of his foreign tour.
At a press conference in Delhi, Mayawati alleged that Vajpayee was behind the CBI raids which the BJP will regret and pay heavily for in the assembly elections. She also demanded an independent inquiry into the assets of his foster daughter and son-in-law who she alleged had a number of properties in prominent places including Nainital.
"These allegations have been brought to my notice and these are baseless," Vajpayee said.
"The CBI does not work under the government and it is an autonomous body. It works as per rules and the constitution," he said, adding that making such allegations would only weaken the CBI. Bureau Report