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Rediff.com  » News » Buta dismisses Nitish's 'spying' charge as 'rubbish'

Buta dismisses Nitish's 'spying' charge as 'rubbish'

By Anand Mohan Sahay in Patna
Last updated on: September 03, 2005 17:23 IST
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Senior Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar demanded the immediate sacking of Bihar Governor Buta Singh on Saturday for spying on the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar before recommending the dissolution of the state assembly.

Singh, on his part, has replied by saying, "The charge is dishonest and rubbish. Moreover, it is not not proper to publicly discuss a matter being examined by the Supreme court." He added that comments on the sub-judice matter would appear 'motivated'.

'Horse trading' not found in Buta's first letter

Nitish, the chief ministerial candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA in Bihar, stated this with reference to Buta's letter to the President, in which the governor had said, "contacts in the BJP and JD (U) have informed that 16-17 MLAs of the Lok Janshakti Party have been won over and attempts are being made to win others over."

He said Buta's letter had exposed that he was spying on NDA camp, adding, "it was a dangerous act, for which Buta Singh should be immediately removed. We seek his removal soon."

Nothing wrong in writing recommendatory letter: Buta

Nitish said Buta had himself, in his letter, admitted to having contacts in BJP and JD (U), who passed on information to him.

While talking to mediapersons in Patna, the JD(U) leader said it was for centre to explain whether it was proper for people occupying constitutional posts to indulge in spying.

In the hot seat: Buta Singh

The Congress party pulled down the Chandrashekhar government in 1991 after a Haryana police constable was allegedly caught spying outside the residence of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in New Delhi.

"If Congress has some moral, it should explain whether such conduct is appropriate. If not, it should immediately sack the Governor," he said.

At a press conference, Singh defended his recommendation for dissolution of the Bihar assembly saying none could question his authority and reports.

Bihar Election Coverage

"Nobody can question my authority and contents of the reports which I had sent to the Centre on the political developments in Bihar as these were based on facts and were in accordance with constitutional propriety," Singh said. When asked if he also meant the judiciary, he said 'nobody means nobody'.

Singh also dubbed as 'baseless' the BJP's statement describing as 'an exercise in presumption', his report on May 21, which led to the dissolution of the state assembly on May 23 and its allegation that Singh had acted at the behest of RJD chief Lalu Prasad.

"I reiterate that my reports were based on facts," he added. He refused to take questions on whether he had submitted any evidence in support of his statement about 'horsetrading' by the NDA to form a government and 'restiveness' among RJD MLAs.

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Anand Mohan Sahay in Patna