Intensifying the demand for the ouster of the beleaguered Delhi urban development minister Raj Kumar Chouhan, the BJP has said that the party would raise the issue in Parliament. The party said that the Congress should take the Supreme Court decision on quashing the appointment of Chief Vigilance Commissioner as a warning and it should not protect the “corrupt” minister.
Delhi BJP chief Vijender Gupta on Thursday, while welcoming the decision of the Supreme Court setting aside the appointment of CVC P.J. Thomas, said that this be taken as a warning by the Congress to stop protecting the corrupt.
“Delhi Lokayukta, Manmohan Sarin, has recommended to the President to dismiss PWD minister Raj Kumar Chouhan and file a criminal case against him. But the way in which chief minister Sheila Dikshit is keeping mum, her policy of protecting the corrupt leaders and officers stands exposed,” Mr Gupta charged.
He also said that the chief minister just recently faced embarrassment for selecting the name of a “tainted” officer as home secretary of the Delhi government, which was overruled by the Union home ministry.
“The BJP can not tolerate Mr Chouhan for a single day in the office and this issue will be raised in Parliament,” added Mr Gupta.
Ms Dikshit had met Congress president Sonia Gandhi over the issue amidst growing demand of Mr Chouhan’s ouster by a section of leaders in both the Central and city units of the Congress. However, the CM is reportedly not inclined to drop the beleaguered minister, who is considered close to her and was even rewarded with the high-profile department of urban development in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.