Left supports BJP after Meera letter

The BJP found unexpected support from the CPI(M) a day after it made public a letter to the prime minister’s office (PMO) in which India’s ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, accused some US companies of having paid bribes in India.

The CPI(M) demanded that the government investigate and take action against officials who allegedly took bribes from these US firms. Expressing concern, the CPI(M) politburo demanded that all US firms involved in giving bribes should be blacklisted and the persons who received bribes identified and punished.

“CPI(M) demands that the government investigate and take firm action against all officials for taking kickbacks from foreign companies for showing special favours to them against national interests,” a statement said.

The US companies have been booked under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of the US. In case of Dow Chemicals, the CPI(M) said, the matter is “extremely serious” since the bribes were allegedly taken by Indian officials to register and allow sale of pesticide banned in the US as it is harmful to children.

Agencies quoted PMO sources as saying the May 12 letter reached Delhi during the Lok Sabha elections. “As soon as the government settled down, a probe was ordered” and “everything is being looked into”.