Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 20

The BSP today demanded immediate action against those who were directly involved in taking money in the fictitious arms deals shown in the Tehelka expose.

Accusing the Vajpayee government of trying to shield those who have been shown taking bribes in the Tehelka tapes, BSP Vice-President and MP Mayawati said, "It is a serious issue. An FIR should be filed immediately against those who were involved in taking money directly and they should be prosecuted."

She accused the BJP-led government of trying to push the issue, which has rocked the entire country, into "cold storage" under the pretext of debate in Parliament and a judicial probe. "If it (NDA government) doesn't take immediate action against the guilty it has no right to stay in power," she said.

Blaming the Vajpayee government for the continued stalling of proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament on the Tehelka expose issue, Ms Mayawati said, "This kind of situation would not have arisen had the government taken stern action against those found guilty in the Tehelka tapes on the very same day."

On Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's challenge to Opposition to move a no-confidence motion, Ms Mayawati, said, "If the government was so confident of its majority why was it not moving such a motion."

"The BJP is shying away from bringing a confidence motion as it is unsure about the whole-hearted support of its allies, especially after the Trinamool Congress opted out of the NDA and the brewing factional in the Samata Party," she said.