People's Democracy

NOW union finance minister Yashwant Sinha has been named in the Rs 950 crore foddar scam. His name has been revealed by his own Party's former Ranchi MLA Gulshan Lal Ajmani. Ajmani is an accused in the fodder scam in case no. RC 48 (A) 96-Pat for taking Rs 15 lakh from one fodder supplier Adarsh Pharma from the huge amounts withdrawn fraudulantly from government treasuries during 1991-95.

While moving a bail petition before the Ranchi High Court Ajmani in a sworn affidavit, admitted that he took Rs 15 lakh from Adarsh Pharma at the instruction of union finance minister Yaswant Sinha, senior BJP leaders Kailashpati Mishra and Govindacharya and the major amount was spent from this Rs 15 lakh for the 1995 election of Yashwant Sinha for Bihar Legislative Assembly and the rest amount for other party work. Before the High Court Ajmani stated that he submitted his statement before the CBI investigating officials under section 161 Cr. PC. In his affidavit Ajmani stated, "the total amount was received for party expenses for the purpose of Assembly elections held in Ranchi at the relevant time. It has further revealed that the said amount was withdrawn with the consent of party leaders like Yashwant Sinha, the Hon'ble finance minister, Kailash Pati Mishra, the president of Bhartiya Janata Party, Govindacharya etc and as per their direction the money was received and withdrawn by way of cheque but it appears that in spite of the clear statements made by the petitioner, the CBI authorities have not investigated the fact thoroughly not those three persons have ever been interrogated even only because the central government is ruled by the Bhartiya Janata Party etc."

In his affidavit he further stated, "The total Rs 15 lakh which was withdrawn through Bank Draft was utilised for the party work and election of Mr Yaswant Sinha and other related political work etc."

It may be recalled when fodder scam rocked Bihar it included Jharkhand. BJP was most vocal at that time for removal of Laloo Prasad government and imposition of president's rule in the state. Two former chief ministers Laloo Prasad Yadav and Jagnnath Mishra, several ministers of Bihar, top bureaucrats and dealers of fodder supply to government have been made accused and many of them are now out on bail. On this issue left parties had demanded resignation of Laloo Prasad Yadav and resorted to two days Bihar Bandh.

Now Left parties, including CPI(M) in Jharkhand demand resignation of union finance minister Yashwant Sinha, as his name has been revealed in the fodder scam. It may be recalled that Yashwant Sinha is a member of the parliament from Hazaribagh constituency in Jharkhand.

Ajmani now made a petition before the CBI designated court at Ranchi to give statement corroborating his affidavit and for making additional points under section 164. The court may take cognisance of his statement. His prayer was scheduled for hearing on May 6.