Political Turmoil Intensifies In Rajasthan As BJP Demands CBI Probe Into Audio Tapes Released By Congress

The BJP demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the allegations levied by the Congress which stated that phones of state leaders in Rajasthan are being tapped at the behest of the BJP amid an alleged conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government.

Sambit Patra

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Congress over the leaked audio tapes which have been doing the rounds in social media and created quite the storm in Rajasthan's political landscape amid the infighting between the Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot factions within the ruling Congress party. The BJP demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the allegations levied by the Congress which stated that phones of state leaders in Rajasthan are being tapped amid an alleged conspiracy to topple the Ashok Gehlot government. Addressing a press conference, BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra said phone tapping can only be done by authorized agencies as per the due process of law and subject to approve safeguards and SOPs.

We demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into this matter, whether phone tapping was done or SOPs were followed. Is there an emergency situation in Rajasthan? Are all political parties being targeted this way?: Sambit Patra, BJP https://t.co/RJw6l7LnVc

— ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2020

ALSO WATCH | BJP demands CBI investigation in Rajasthan phone tapping case BJP leader Laxmikant Bhardwaj had filed a complaint against Congress leaders including Randeep Surjewala and Govind Singh Dotasra for associating Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's name with an alleged audio clip related to "conspiring to topple" the elected government led by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in Rajasthan. The BJP leader also said, “We are asking the Gehlot government some questions: Was phone tapping done with authority? Is it not a sensitive and a legal issue (phone tapping)? Was SOP followed, assuming you tapped phones? Finding yourself cornered, did you resort to such tactics? Are you tapping phones of any person who may belong to any political person in Rajasthan? Is it not a situation of an emergency now in Rajasthan?” “Is phone tapping not a legal issue? Were the standard procedures laid down followed for phone tapping? The chief minister should answer if the state machinery was misused and if there is a veiled emergency in the state,” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said during a press conference. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala had briefed the media on Friday about the existence of tapes where BJP leaders including Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat can be heard conspiring with rebel MLAs from the Sachin Pilot camp to topple the state government. Also Watch | "Emergency like situation," BJP raises 6 questions on Rajasthan phone tapping issue

Patra alleged that there is a conspiracy within the Congress party and the blame is being pinned on the BJP. “Our morality is crystal clear and we work as per the Constitution. Which is why we want a CBI probe,” Patra said. “These are serious questions that we want to ask the Rajasthan Congress and Ashok Gehlot,” the BJP tweeted as well.