BJP on offensive in LS on cash-for-vote scam

New Delhi, Sept 8 (PTI) Primary Opposition BJP on Thursday
went on the offensive on the cash-for-vote scam with L K
Advani hailing as "whistle-blowers" the two former party MPs
jailed in the scam and declaring that if they are guilty then
he too should be sent behind bars.
Amid repeated disruptions from the Congress members in the
Lok Sabha (lower house of Parliament), the Bhartiya Janata
Party Parliamentary chief made a strong defence of the actions
of Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora during the July
22, 2008 Confidence Vote.
"Whatever was done was done as per Constitutional norms.
If anything was wrong I would have stopped them," said Advani,
who is also Working Chairman of NDA.
Raising the issue on the last day of the tumultuous
Monsoon session of Parliament, Advani insisted that it was
evident during the Confidence Vote that the government was
"trying to purchase votes".
"They were whistle-blowers who honestly reported the
matter in the House. They presented the money. That time I was
the Leader of the Opposition and I know the facts...
"I believe that these two members have done a great
service to democracy by bringing in Parliament the Rs one
crore given to them," he said during Zero Hour.
He lamented that those who voted for the government
"through dishonesty" by taking money are sitting here
comfortably, "but my two friends who honestly served the
country are in jail."
There were disruptions from the Congress members from the
time Advani rose to speak who at one point threatened that he
would be forced to raise the issue outside if he was not
allowed to have his say in the House.
As the disruptions continued, Speaker Meira Kumar
adjourned the House till 12:55 pm (IST), the second
adjournment of the day on the cash-for-vote issue.