Union Minister Vayalar Ravi today denied that the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre had any role in the “Coalgate” scam.
Talking to media persons at Indira Bhavan here after handing over B-forms to the candidates in the electoral fray, Vayalar Ravi alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was the main ‘culprit’ behind all scams. “We have no role in Coalgate scam or any other scam, but it is the BJP that is responsible for every ‘scam’ in the country, he alleged.
Asked about former Coal Secretary K C Parakh’s book finding fault with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s amiable nature, Vayalar Ravi maintained they were not involved in the Coal scam and refuted Sanjay Baru, Prime Minister’s former Media Advisor’s jibe against Manmohan Singh. Sensing that the media was more interested in getting some response on Baru’s comments against the Prime Minister, Vayalar Ravi declined to talk about the topic any more.
The Union Minister’s visit to Hyderabad assumes significance in the wake of the two new States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh going to face general elections. Stating that final list of candidates would be announced this evening or tomorrow morning, Vayalar said there were no problems in the allotment of party tickets. While some Congress leaders in both the States are raising a banner of revolt for denial of tickets, Ravi is understood to have tried to convince rebel candidates and persuade them to support the Congress instead and help form the government in the wake of bifurcation of the State. On returning to power, the Congress would certainly offer them some posts, Ravi told them.
Later, APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy administered oath to the party contestants. Earlier, Vayalar Ravi declared open Congress Election Control Room in the party office. (NSS)
