Jain panel report just trash, says Shekhar

CHENNAI, July 31: Describing the Jain Commission report as trash', former prime minister and Samajwadi Janata Party president Chandra Sh...

CHENNAI, July 31: Describing the Jain Commission report as trash8217;, former prime minister and Samajwadi Janata Party president Chandra Shekhar said on Thursday that he was not overwhelmed8217; by Justice M C Jain8217;s findings reportedly indicting him.

Speaking to mediapersons in Chennai, Chandra Shekhar let loose a tirade against Justice Jain for what he called the latter8217;s 8220;indulgence in gossip and rumour while discharging his judicial duty8221;. The Jain Commission report should be rejected, he asserted.

The former prime minister dismissed media reports suggesting that the Commission8217;s final report 8220;pointed the needle of suspicion8221; at himself, godman Chandraswami and Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy. 8220;Anyway, these small and petty things do not bother me at all. If Justice Jain has some suspicions about me, I am not going to defend myself,8221; he added.

Lambasting Justice Jain for reportedly recommending investigations against him in the report, Chandra Shekhar said, 8220;Why are they usingthreatening voices? If they want to investigate they should go ahead. They are free to do so.8221;

Chandra Shekhar further said he had informed the Commission probing the conspiracy angle in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case that if there were any doubts about anyone including himself, there were agencies to look into it. 8220;Let them investigate,8221; he added, 8220;I am not overwhelmed by the report.8221;

Flaying the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition at the Centre, he said the Government was 8220;causing great injury to national interest by its decisions, and its continuance might even affect national security.8221;

As the BJP appeared ready for any compromise, the government might just complete its full term, Chandra Shekhar felt. 8220;It is necessary to oust this Government and bring in an alternative,8221; he added.

Story continues below this ad

The Congress, being a major political power, should take the initiative towards forming an alternative government, he suggested. Denying any knowledge about the strategy to be adopted by theCongress, he said that he had not held any discussions with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in this regard.

Replying to a question on the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam8217;s demand for dismissal of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Government, Chandra Shekhar said, quot;I don8217;t know on what basis the present demand is being made.8221;