Rajasthan Royal Storm: Home ministry steps in, asks for report in ‘tapegate’ charges

As Congress levels horse-trading charges against the BJP in Rajasthan’s ongoing political tussle, Ministry of Home Affairs seeks report on the illegal phone tapping issue over which the BJP has demanded a CBI investigation against CM Ashok Gehlot’s camp.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a report from the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan over the phone-tapping issue in the state, sources informed on Saturday.

Earlier on Saturday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter of phone tapping in connection with the Rajasthan political crisis and raised several questions over whether the Congress indulged in phone tapping.

“We demand a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into this matter, whether phone tapping was done or SOPs were followed. Is there an emergency situation in Rajasthan? Are all political parties being targeted this way?” said BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra while addressing the media.

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“The state government should answer whether they indulged in phone tapping as Chief Minister and their other leaders are saying the audio is authentic whereas in FIR it is mentioned as purported,” he added.

Two FIRs have been registered by Congress leader Mahesh Joshi pertaining to the audio clips on the alleged conspiracy to topple the Rajasthan government on Friday.

These complaints were filed after Randeep Singh Surjewala read out a transcript of alleged audio of horse-trading between rebel MLAs and BJP at a press conference yesterday.

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