Buta to cooperate with CBI if 'proper procedures' followed

Sticking to his decision of not resigning following the arrest of his son by Central Bureau of Investigation in a bribery case, National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairman Buta Singh said on Sunday that he has "briefed" Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and that he will cooperate with the probe agency if "proper procedures" were followed.
    
"I have briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding the facts. He has responded positively and sought more details," he said without divulging on how the matter was communicated to the Prime Minister. "I am also seeking an appointment to meet him and explain my position," Singh, the Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes, told media-persons in New Delhi.
    
Accusing the CBI of "framing" him, Singh said he will not resign from his post."I will not resign. CBI is not working as an
investigating agency and targeting me at the behest of some people. CBI is framing me. Arresting my son in a false case is
in fact aimed at targeting me politically. CBI used my son to target me," he alleged, claiming, "I am being victimised".
    
Asked whether he is ready to face questioning by the CBI, he said, "I am ready to answer to all charges. I will fully cooperate if proper procedures are followed." "I am competent to defend myself. Why should I trouble others," he said when asked whether he would meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi on the issue.
    
The CBI arrested Singh's son Sarobjit on Friday in Mumbai on charges of demanding a bribe of Rs one crore from a Nashik-
based contractor to close a case pending before the Commission against him.     

Buta Singh, who had fought as a rebel candidate from Jalore Lok Sabha seat in Rajasthan in this year's election, expressed regret for fighting against Congress. "My action was not in the interest of the party," he acknowledged. The expelled Congress leader, however, said "I am a Congress man and I abide by the Congress ideology." He also claimed the support of the Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan.
    
"The CM has said in Nanded that Buta Singh is a senior Congress leader and currently he is heading a constitutional
body. This is a political conspiracy by opposition parties," Singh claimed.