The CNN-IBN tapes containing images of the cash-for-votes sting operation carried out by the channel ahead of the UPA government’s vote on confidence on July 21-22.
Footage reveals nothing to prove BJP’s allegations
NEW DELHI: The CNN-IBN tapes containing images of the cash-for-votes sting operation carried out by the channel ahead of the UPA government’s vote on confidence on July 21-22 point to large sums of money changing hands, but fail to conclusively prove the involvement of Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh.
Also, there is no mention in the tapes either by the BJP MPs or anybody else of the involvement of Ahmad Patel, the political secretary to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, as alleged earlier by the BJP.
The two-hour-long tape, which was aired by the channel on Monday night, showed much of what is already known about what allegedly transpired on July 21-22.
It shows Sanjeev Saxena ,who is alleged to be an employee of Amar Singh, delivering a bagful of money to Ashok Argal and the other two BJP MPs — Fagan Singh Kulhaste and Mahavir Bhagora — at Argal’s Ferozeshah road residence.
It also shows the Samajwadi Party’s MP from Allahabad, Reoti Raman Singh, visiting Argal’s residence to try and persuade him, Kulhaste and Bhagora to meet a top SP leader (not mentioned by name).
Nowhere does Saxena mention Amar Singh’s name, though he does refer repeatedly to some “sir”. Turn to p15
Even the three BJP MPs don’t mention Amar Singh’s name and are shown speaking to somebody called “Singh saheb”. At one stage, Saxena is heard talking on his phone to somebody he refers to as ‘sir’.
Saxena: Haanji Sir, yeah Ashokji aur Mahaveer Singh Bagaria ji baat karna chahtey hain, woh bhi yahan baithey hue hain.
Ashok Argal (BJP MP): Ek crore prapt ho gaya. Ek poora prapt ho gaya. Ek crore prapt ho gaya hai. Jee theek hai, maloom hai, theek hai, Sir.
Saxena: Yes Sir, main Sanjeev bol raha hoon.Haan, Ashok ji hai aur ek Mahaveer Singh Bagaria ji hain, Rajasthan se, jo aap baat kar rahe thhey… Bagora Bagora. Haanji, Kulhaste jee....jee Sir, jee Sir, main baat karvata hoon, lijiye baat kijiye.
Also, there is no conclusive evidence in the tapes to prove that the three BJP MPs travelled to Amar Singh’s residence.
The footage shows a white car driving to Singh’s house on the morning of July 22 and then driving out a little later. But there are no images of any of the MPs or of their alleged meeting with Amar Singh. The MPs say they could not film inside his house as they were scared of being caught.
According to CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai, the channel has chosen to air the tapes after having cross-checked and verified the tapes and having spoken to all sides. “We have chosen to put it in the public domain because we have nothing to hide and because we want to put an end to all kinds of speculation and innuendo,” said Rajdeep.
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