MHA seeks report as BJP demands CBI probe in 'phone tapping' case

Jaipur : The Centre has asked the Rajasthan Government to submit a report over alleged phone tapping for which Bharatiya Janata Party has demanded CBI enquiry. The Congress has filed FIRs over two audiotapes alleging an attempt to topple the government.

The Congress government has accused BJP of making a plot to remove Congress from power in Rajasthan.

Late on Saturday evening, PTI reported that the Union Home Ministry had sent a communication to the Rajasthan Chief Secretary, seeking a report on the allegations of phone tapping.

The BJP said the authorities concerned had not given permission for such “tapping”. “Home and chief secretaries have denied giving permission… Is it not a violation of our civil rights to tap phones without authorisation?” the party said.

Meanwhile, CM Ashok Gehlot has secured support of two MLAs from the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), taking the total number of MLAs to 103 in 200-member assembly. The government claims at least 109 are with it.

The Congress on Friday had cities two audiotapes, purportedly featuring Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and rebel Congress MLA Bhanwarlal Sharma conspiring to topple the Ashok Gehlot government, seeking their arrest.

The BJP has countered the claims by saying that the audiotapes are doctored.