Friday, April 29 2005 13:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: Congress, Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML) (Liberation) today (Apr 29, 2005) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in demanding a CBI probe into alleged embezzlement of several crore Rupees meant for flood-relief victims in Bihar and immediate arrest of the then Patna District Magistrate Gautam Goswami and others allegedly involved in it.

"Keeping in view the magnitude of the scam we hope Governor Buta Singh will soon recommend a CBI inquiry and get Goswami arrested," Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) spokesman Prem Chandra Mishra said.

CPI leader Badri Narayan Lal said his party had, last year itself, highlighted "gross irregularities" in carrying out relief work "but the corrupt leaders and bureaucrats overlooked it".

"Only a CBI probe will unravel the truths and bring the culprits to justice," Lal added.

CPI-ML State secretary Ramjatan Sharma accused the State administration of launching "a cover up operation" by ordering a probe by the State vigilance bureau and urged Governor to order a probe by an independent agency like CBI.

BJP vice president S K Modi had yesterday (Apr 28, 2005) charged Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) president Laloo Prasad with "patronising" those who were involved in alleged loot of public money and demanded a CBI probe into the whole matter relating to the multi-crore scam.