The Hindu : National : Advani warns party MPs against misusing privileges, perks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005

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National

Advani warns party MPs against misusing privileges, perks

Special Correspondent

"Expose makes all of us hang our heads in shame"

L.K. Advani

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party president L.K. Advani on Tuesday deplored the incidents of MPs allegedly taking money for asking questions in Parliament as "sad and shameful." Of the 11 MPs allegedly involved, and `caught on camera' in a sting operation by a television channel, six were from the BJP.

At the weekly parliamentary party meeting, in which the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh were present, Mr. Advani said the exposemade "all of us hang our heads in shame." He warned MPs that the strictest disciplinary action would be taken if they were found renting out their official premises, misusing the gas coupons and free air tickets given to them or taking commissions on works done under the MP Local Area Development Scheme.

The subject was also discussed at a meeting of the party's general secretaries at the BJP headquarters here. The unanimous view was that the party should take the sternest view of the episode; that a plea of ignorance or feigning innocence on the part of MPs should not be tolerated.

The meeting approved Monday's decision to place under suspension the party MPs `involved.' Only the most stringent punishment could undo the damage done to the party's image, it was felt. Several leaders privately admitted that the episode had undone the party's attempt to capture the moral high ground by raising the Volcker issue in Parliament. Senior leaders had no answer when asked why the BJP did not take the Tehelka expose as seriously.

Panel formed

Party spokesperson Sushma Swaraj said a three-member party committee, chaired by Bal Apte, and with Satya Narain Jatiya and B.C. Khanduri as members, had been constituted to conduct an inquiry into the episode. She said that while Parliament was doing its part, at the party level too stern action could follow if guilt was established by the committee.

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