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Mayawati refers CD case to CBI

Special Correspondent

‘Sensitive nature of the issue was also taken into account’

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government has referred the CD case, allegedly involving some senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Mayawati told a press conference here on Wednesday the move had been made to rule out charges of political vendetta against the Bahujan Samaj Party government.

Ms. Mayawati added that the sensitive nature of the issue was also taken into account before taking the decision.

The controversial CD was released by the saffron party in April 2007 in Lucknow in the midst of campaigning for the 2007 Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha elections. The CD was reportedly distributed to the BJP’s constituents. Samajwadi Party and the Congress complained to the Election Commission of India that it contained several objectionable footage liable to hurt the sentiments of a particular community.

The Chief Election Commissioner, N. Gopalaswami directed the Chief Electoral Officer of U.P., Anuj Kumar Bishnoi to lodge a first information report. The FIR was lodged by Mr. Bishnoi at the Hazratganj police station here on April 6, 2007. BJP president Rajnath Singh, the then Leader of the Opposition in the UP Assembly, Lalji Tandon and eight other party functionaries were named in the FIR.

Ms. Mayawati, who came to power in May 2007, said the investigations conducted by the Lucknow police pointed to the possible role of several influential BJP leaders. However, on Wednesday both the ADG, Law and Order, Brij Lal and Lucknow SSP, Akhil Kumar said the charge sheet contained some technical “errors.”

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