|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
By Category |
 |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
India On Media |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| Others
News |
|
| Opium servings at BJP luncheon |
| The Vasundhara Raje government is studiously silent but the congress has demanded an enquiry into this opium row.
|
| INDIA
, 2-November-2007
0:52:7 AM |
| It is alleged that in a special lunch thrown by Jaswant Singh for BJP dissidents in Barmer, Rajasthan on Wednesday opium was served.
If true the minimum punishment for the offence is of ten years in jail under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act.
The Vasundhara Raje government is studiously silent but the congress has demanded an enquiry into this opium row.
Offering opium laced kesar milk is a welcoming tradition in this part of the state.
This is the latest row to hit the faction-ridden BJP in Rajasthan but Jaswant and other BJP leaders deny these charges.
Mahavir Prasad Jain chief Whip BJP, Rajasthan said, ''We rarely drink even tea. So why would we have taken any opium there?''
Madan Dilawar Social Welfare Minister, Rajasthan said, ''Its true that there's such a tradition in that area. But Jaswant Singh knows the law quite well, so why would he serve opium in front of hundreds of people and the media?''
Political circles in Rajasthan are also buzzing that the Raje faction is quietly fanning the controversy that's hit the BJP rebels. However nobody from the Raje camp is willing to speak on the opium row.
Raghu Sharma Congress vice president, Rajasthan said, ''In its four year rule the Raje government has promoted a liquor culture in the state. Now their ministers are openly consuming opium which is a terrible crime. The government must immediately order an enquiry and punish the guilty severely.''
If the opium charge sticks Jaswant and several BJP rebels will be in a legal soup. The big question now is whether an enquiry will be ordered or the fear of escalating the BJP's internal rift will force the Raje government to ignore this row.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADVERTISEMENTS
Free offer!!! Become an administrator for your zip home page, "Post" local news (local to your postcode)& pictures, "Post" advertisement banners from local companies. Make Extra money.
|
 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
