Cash for votes: shouldn’t there be further probe?

GN Bureau | March 18, 2011



Wikileaks have given fresh ammunition to the opposition in the cash-for-votes scandal of 2008. The opposition is all fired up, but what are the actionable options before it to put the government on the mat? While the leaked cable leaves little to imagination or doubt, it may not stand scrutiny in courts. Politically, the BJP has already ruled out a no-confidence motion, as no NDA MP wants to go to polls so soon.

One possible option is to follow up on the parliamentary committee’s recommendation of further probe. After three BJP accused the Congress of offering cash for their votes, the panel could not find any clinching evidence but recommended that the matter should be probed further. Does Wikileaks provide enough material to at least act upon that recommendation?

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