Saturday, November 19 2005 14:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the dismissal of Sports, Haj and Auqaf Minister Peerzada Mohammad Syed from the Council of Ministers in view of his alleged involvement in the rural electrification scam.

"It is indeed a pity that Syed has not tendered his resignation despite the State Accountability Commission (SAC) headed by Justice (retd) R P Sethi, passing some serious strictures against him," state unit president Nirmal Singh said today (Nov 19,2005).

"What has shocked the Pradesh BJP all the more is utter failure of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to sack the tainted minister and send a right signal that he is sincerely committed to providing a corrupt-free and transparent dispensation," Singh said.

He alleged that by not dismissing Peerzada, the Chief Minister had only led the people to believe that he, like his predecessors, was only 'indulging in the politics of rhetoric and double speak'.

He also demanded action against other ministers 'well known for indulging in corrupt practices'.

"The rural electrification scam has brought bad name not only to the state but also to the office of Chief Minister itself," he said.