Five ministers trying to protect Tarun Tejpal, BJP says
TNN | Nov 28, 2013, 02.32 AM IST
NEW DELHI: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday released a letter from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi assuring that Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal's representation on cases against the magazine will be examined by relevant ministries.
Swamy's disclosure is bound to add fuel to a bitter war of words between BJP and Congress over "politicization" of the sexual assault charges leveled against Tejpal by a junior colleague with the editor claiming that he was being targeted by the BJP government in Goa where the alleged incident took place.
Swamy released a 2004 letter to the media where the Prime Minister's Office has taken note of Sonia's intercession on behalf of Tejpal who had then claimed that the cases were foisted against the magazine by the NDA government for sting operations against then BJP president Bangaru Laxman and then defence minister George Fernandes.
The letter dated June 25, 2004 and addressed to Sonia reads, "I have received your letter of June 18, 2004 enclosing a representation from Tarun Tejpal, editor in chief of Tehelka regarding investigation pending against them. I am asking the concerned ministries to examine the cases and review their status and proposed course of action."
Responding to release of the letter, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "It is fact that Tehelka had exposed corruption of BJP president and government and many journalists were implicated in fake cases. If someone wants to link a crime of 2013 with a corruption related case of 2003, it reflects his mindset."
Swamy alleged that the letter shows the Congress government's soft corner towards the magazine's editor who had targeted the BJP and was facing serious allegations.
The investigation launched under the NDA government took a dramatically different course after UPA-1 assumed office. After the Bangaru sting, Tehelka and its investor First Global were investigated by police and tax authorities over allegations of stock market manipulation and conspiracy.
The unexpected Congress victory in 2004 brought about a change in fortunes and the letter released by Swamy was touted by BJP to establish Tehelka's proximity to the ruling coalition.
BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi further alleged that as many as five Union ministers were trying to "protect" Tejpal. She and Swamy also attacked Tehelka managing editor Shoma Choudhury, alleging that she was in touch with UPA ministers.
But Lekhi refused to name the ministers.
Defending that Goa police was not working under the influence of the BJP-led government, Swamy said when Tejpal had such plans he should have considered the option of holding the "Think" programme in a Congress led state.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Five-ministers-trying-to-protect-Tarun-Tejpal-BJP-says/articleshow/26489033.cms
TNN | Nov 28, 2013, 02.32 AM IST
NEW DELHI: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Wednesday released a letter from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi assuring that Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal's representation on cases against the magazine will be examined by relevant ministries.
Swamy's disclosure is bound to add fuel to a bitter war of words between BJP and Congress over "politicization" of the sexual assault charges leveled against Tejpal by a junior colleague with the editor claiming that he was being targeted by the BJP government in Goa where the alleged incident took place.
Swamy released a 2004 letter to the media where the Prime Minister's Office has taken note of Sonia's intercession on behalf of Tejpal who had then claimed that the cases were foisted against the magazine by the NDA government for sting operations against then BJP president Bangaru Laxman and then defence minister George Fernandes.
The letter dated June 25, 2004 and addressed to Sonia reads, "I have received your letter of June 18, 2004 enclosing a representation from Tarun Tejpal, editor in chief of Tehelka regarding investigation pending against them. I am asking the concerned ministries to examine the cases and review their status and proposed course of action."
Responding to release of the letter, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "It is fact that Tehelka had exposed corruption of BJP president and government and many journalists were implicated in fake cases. If someone wants to link a crime of 2013 with a corruption related case of 2003, it reflects his mindset."
Swamy alleged that the letter shows the Congress government's soft corner towards the magazine's editor who had targeted the BJP and was facing serious allegations.
The investigation launched under the NDA government took a dramatically different course after UPA-1 assumed office. After the Bangaru sting, Tehelka and its investor First Global were investigated by police and tax authorities over allegations of stock market manipulation and conspiracy.
The unexpected Congress victory in 2004 brought about a change in fortunes and the letter released by Swamy was touted by BJP to establish Tehelka's proximity to the ruling coalition.
BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi further alleged that as many as five Union ministers were trying to "protect" Tejpal. She and Swamy also attacked Tehelka managing editor Shoma Choudhury, alleging that she was in touch with UPA ministers.
But Lekhi refused to name the ministers.
Defending that Goa police was not working under the influence of the BJP-led government, Swamy said when Tejpal had such plans he should have considered the option of holding the "Think" programme in a Congress led state.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Five-ministers-trying-to-protect-Tarun-Tejpal-BJP-says/articleshow/26489033.cms