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Fake stamp paper scam: BJP for CBI probe

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI SEPT. 27. The Bharatiya Janata Party is pushing hard for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the multi-crore inter-State fake stamp paper racket in which some politicians are allegedly involved. It will now ask, party sources said, its State units, especially Maharashtra and Karnataka to take up the issue.Already, Andhra Pradesh has shown its willingness to have a probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court and Gujarat too is willing to go in for a CBI probe. However, before the campaign is strengthened in Maharashtra and Karnataka, the BJP will be asking its Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat units to make a public issue of the demand.

In a related development, the BJP president, Venkaiah Naidu, talking to reporters, said that the Governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka, where most of the criminal activity took place in generating and sustaining the scam, are reluctant to have a CBI probe fearing ``some crucial revelations.''He said the party was ``intrigued'' at the Maharashtra Government ``dragging its feet on the widespread demand for a CBI inquiry''.

It has links with the underworld and ``political connections and hence it should be taken seriously'', he said. The Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat Governments ``have agreed for a CBI probe''. But the two Congress-ruled States — Maharashtra and Karnataka — ``are refusing to accept a CBI inquiry''.

Mr. Naidu touched upon the ``political connections'' by pointing out to the business and political links of the family of Abdul Karim Telgi, the prime accused in the scam, which has landed two MLAs, one from Maharashtra and another from Andhra Pradesh in custody.

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