New Delhi: A day after the report of the likelihood of her being quizzed by the CBI in connection with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scam, BSP supremo Mayawati on Tuesday accused the NDA government at the Centre of a political vendetta against her.
The Centre, however, rejected Ms Mayawati’s allegation, claiming that the CBI does its work on the basis of “proof”. Questioning the timing of the CBI investigation in Delhi, Ms Mayawati said, “The CBI is free to investigate me. I will not be cowed down.”
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also stated that the move against her was an attempt to “demoralise” her party and divert attention from the “failure” of the government to fulfil its promises to the people. “I have no connection with the NRHM scam. The BJP, which is trying to use the CBI, should give up such tactics as such attempts have cost them dearly earlier,” she added.
The CBI refuted Ms Mayawati’s allegations. CBI director Anil Sinha said, “The agency will proceed as per the demands of the investigation.” He, however, refused to give any details of why the agency felt it needed to examine Ms Mayawati after it had filed 48 chargesheets in the NRHM scam case. The agency is likely to examine Ms Mayawati this week in connection with the case.
CBI sources said the agency has already conveyed its intention to question Ms Mayawati in connection with the NRHM scam. There was no clarity on the issue of whether she would be examined as a witness or a suspect, with sources saying all would depend on the statements given by her.
The government, too, refuted the allegations of the BSP supremo. “The CBI does its work on the basis of proof. There is no need to draw any other conclusion,” Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
