Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: August 2, 2008
Introduction: Makes Transcripts, Call Details
of Amar Aide on Horsetrading Public
The BJP on Sunday ratcheted up its pressure
for early disclosure of details of the cash-for-vote scam by releasing what
it called irrefutable technological evidence of SP general secretary Amar
Singh's attempt to bribe its MPs, and by declaring that it had a copy of the
CD of the sting carried out by a channel.
Party general secretary Arun Jaitley made
public transcripts of the conversation recorded by the "sting" team
of CNN-IBN as well as call details of the mobile of Amar Singh's personal
aide Sanjeev Saxena to argue that there was enough evidence available with
both the paliamentary committee probing the scam as well as the channel to
establish the veracity of the BJP's bribery charge.
The transcripts-sent to the parliamentary
panel-has sensational bits, like the one when BJP MP Ashok Argal allegedly
confirms to Amar Singh that Rs 1 crore offered to them as advance for staying
away from the vote had reached them. "Ek crore prapt ho gaya. Ek poora
prapt ho gaya (One crore has been received)." At another place, another
BJP MP says, "Amount ki toh baat nahin hui hogi," as he tries to
draw SP emissary Reoti Raman Singh for the benefit of the channel team which
had bugged the 4, Ferozeshah Road residence of Argal.
Quoting from the transcripts, Jaitley said
that Sanjeev Saxena, who worked as Amar Singh's aide till July 22, used his
cellphone (number 9811721499) to get the BJP MPs speak with Amar Singh on
his landline (24616827) to confirm the receipt of advance. He said the phone
registered in the name of HFCL, C/o Sanjeev Saxena, was used by the SP general
secretary's aide till as late as July 20 to inform a press meet Amar Singh
held to announce the BJP men's "defection".
Jaitley also said the records of cell towers
on July 22 corroborated the movement of Saxena from Amar Singh's house to
Argal's Ferozeshah Road house. He said the CD showed Saxena ferrying Rs 1
crore to Argal's house in a white Gypsy which was registered in the name of
Pankaja Art and Credit. "This firm belongs to members of Amar's family
and is registered at his private residence E-593, GK-II, New Delhi, where
he stayed before becoming a MP," the BJP MPs have told the LS panel.
