New Delhi: Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on October 9 condemned the allegations by former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati against Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee following Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raids against her, saying these were "not only baseless but also in bad taste".

"I strongly condemn Mayawati's outburst against the Honourable Prime Minister. Her statement is not only baseless, but also in bad taste," he told reporters.

In a hard-hitting reaction, Advani said, "Everyone knows that CBI has been investigating and prosecuting politicians and senior government officials and the Prime Minister has never intervened in the entire process.

"The statement the former Chief Minister is only an expression of desperation", Advani said.

At a press conference on October 8, Mayawati had alleged that Vajpayee was behind the CBI raids, which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will regret and pay heavily for in the Assembly elections. She also demanded an independent inquiry into the assets of his foster daughter and son-in-law, who she alleged had a number of properties in prominent places including Nainital.

PTI