NEW DELHI: (There was hit in the Lok Sabha lest neck when charges Sabha last week when ling against Prime Minister P.V, Narasimha Rao were Denied by key persona ‘dramatist Shailendra Mahato.

Mr, Mahato had originally alleged, in the presence of Leader of Opposition Atal Behari Vajpayee (BJP), that Hehad received money from Mr. Rao 0 vote against the July 1993 no confidence motion.

‘Hehad also said that Mr, Buta Singh had played a key role, an allegation denied by the former Cabinet Minister in Parliament last week.

Mr. Mahato, a former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (MM) MP who presently joined the BJP, last week read out a statement in the Lok Sabha while Ministerial papers were being tabled after the conclusion of Zero Hour.

Mr. Mahato exonerated Mr, Rao of the charge of buying support from the four Jharkhand MPs when the Government was facing a no confidence motion. He said the allegations that Hehad received money to support the Government were “far from the truth.”

With regard to the privilege motion on the issue moved by unattached Lok Sabha member Arjun Singh against Mr. Rao, Mr. Mahato clarified he had voted against the no confidence motion for the greater cause of Jharkhand.

Referring to his meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Mahato acknowledged the fact that he met Mr, Rao before the voting. He stated, however, that he voted against the no ‘Confidence motion only after Mr. Rao assured the JMM leaders of creating a Shark hand Autonomous Council.

Mr. Mahato said the Rs 20 lakh deposited in his account belonged to his former party; “Paisa party ka hai,” he said. AS s00n as he started reading out his statement, there were visible signs of desperation and frustration in the BJP’s camp. BJP deputy leader Jaswant Singh had last week expressed his apprehension that Mr, Mahato might have been obstructed by members of the ruling party.

Mr, Mahato had appeared in the House last week, and sat with BJP members. He explained his absence, saying he had gone to NOIDA, the ‘capital’s adjoining township in Uttar Pradesh, for some personal work.

Mr, Mahato’s brief state ment e voked instant elation in the treasury benches as Congress members joyfully thumped their desks. The sudden volte-face by Mr, Mahato caused major embarrassessment for the BJP in the house, some of the BJP member’s wereesen shouting at Mr, Mahato.

Later, BJP spokesperson Ms. Sushma Swaraj tried to defend the BJP”s position and said Mr. Mahato’s Statement did not exonerate Mr, Rao of charges of bribery against him, “In fact, Mr. Mahato’s statement is the reiteration of the BJP’s charges that Mr, Rao used to unfair means to win Support in the Parliament,” she pointed out When the allegations were originally made against the Prime Minister, Mr, Vajpayee and Mr, Jethmalani made specific bribery charges against Mr. Rao. Mr, Mahato himself said he had received Rs 40 lakh from JMM Leader Suraj Mandal three days after the voting on the motion of no confidence, “This is clear subversion of the parliamentary process,” Mr. Vajpayce had alleged.

BJP’s strategy to put the Government in the dock failed following similar denials made by Mr. Buta Singh last week.

Article extracted from this publication >>  March 6, 1996