Slamming the government over the allegations of irregularities regarding Commonwealth Games, Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday said some people in the ruling side were converting 'common wealth' into 'individual wealth' and that it cannot remain silent when 'violent corruption' is taking place.
Claiming that the authorities were 'not serious' about allegations of corruption in games-related projects, BJP Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu demanded Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention in constituting a probe by officials who are 'honest and whose integrity is beyond doubt.'
"The very name is Commonwealth Games. The idea is to create common wealth, infrastructure and better conduct of the Games to enhance the prestige and image of the country. India has got a rare opportunity to showcase it to the world. But unfortunately, some people of the ruling side seems to be converting common wealth to individual wealth and trying to misuse resources that were allotted. They are causing huge damage and harm to the cause of sports," Naidu told mediapersons in New Delhi releasing the BJP 'white paper' on corruption in games.
Noting that his party was one of the 'strong supporters' of the games, he alleged that the government has not taken seriously the allegations of corruption in projects and that they were 'ignoring' it.
To buttress his point, Naidu said that rain water leaked and fell on Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy during the inauguration of the upgraded Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
"He might now have understood from his own experience how serious the matter is," he said.
On Sports Minister M S Gill's remarks about media campaign against graft, Naidu claimed that there was misuse of position and corruption.
"Why are the government, Sports Ministry, Suresh Kalmadi silent? It is shocking to hear that a treadmill is hired for Rs 7 lakh for a period of 45 days. If this is not looting or cheating, then what is it? They are hiring umbrellas that cost a good amount of money. I have not come across any umbrella, which costs so much," Naidu said.
"In the name of prestige, can we be silent on violent corruption?" Naidu asked. He said the issue of corruption in the games will be raised during the ongoing Parliament session to ensure that those responsible for the 'wrongdoings' are booked.
Naidu said the PM has to make his views public on the issue. "He should review the whole thing. He should ask a senior official like the Cabinet Secretary or another honest official whose integrity is beyond doubt to investigate the matter," the BJP leader said.
He also said Delhi government owes an explanation to the people for alleged diversion of funds for SC/ST welfare schemes to Commonwealth Games-related projects. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday said no money was diverted from SC/ST welfare programmes to the games.
