NEW DELHI: The Prime Minister, Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao, March 1, disapproved of the suggestion from some party men that those charge sheeted in the hawala case be denied the party ticket for the Lok Sabha elections.

“It is not proper and fair to condemn anyone just because some allegations have been leveled against him,” Mr, Rao said, addressing a meeting of the general body of the Congress Party in Parliament (CPP).

He observed that “the rule of law makes it clear that until a person is proved guilty, he is presumed to be innocent.”

In what is being considered in the Congress circles, a defence by the Prime Minister of his former ministerial colleagues, charge sheeted in the hawala case, the Prime Minister said that he felt sad when some party men came up with suggestions about denying party tickets to those involved in the cases, He cautioned the party men against jumping to conclusions and condemning their colleagues, “There is no question of condemning them in advance,” he said. Briefing reporters, Congress spokesman V.N. Gadgil said that about 200 MPs, including some former minister’s charge sheeted in the hawala case, attended the meeting. Mr. Rao, who is also the Congress President, exhorted his party men to ensure that the performance of the government was not “hijacked” by issued like hawala and the “Opposition tricks.”

The AICC Legal cell meanwhile, clarified that the party would assist the Congressmen, if they approached the party individually.

“Whoever seeks legal assistance will be provided it individually,” legal cell Chairman O.P, Sharma told UNI.

He said that the legal cell would expand its network up to the Assembly segment level and those cells would screen all aspirants for party tickets. “Our action plan is to cleanse politics of criminalization, communalization and corruption,” he said.

“We are committed to select clean and winning candidates,” he added.

‘The cell would work as a watch dog in helping the selection of “’spotless” candidates, Mr. Sharma said.

Article extracted from this publication >>  March 6, 1996