rediff.com: The Jaya Jaitly chat transcript


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March 16, 2001

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Any unbiased person will see I have not accepted the money: Jaitly

Jaya Jaitly arrived on time at the venue in New Delhi to commence the Rediff Chat. The response was massive, with over 2,500 usernames, most of them hostile. But the former Samata party president remained unruffled and patiently gave her side of the story. Unfortunately, due to paucity of time, she was able to answer only a few queries.

Jaya Jaitley : Namaste. I am Jaya Jaitly. I am here to answer your questions.

rjn : what proof u ve tp plead ur innocence
Jaya Jaitley : I do not need any proof other than asking people to read the transcript of the Tehelka tapes concerning me very carefully. Any unbiased person will see that I have not accepted the money but asked them to send it to a senior person for a specific cause. If they had done so, they would have received a receipt and the money would be reflected in our certified records. Secondly, when they ask for help by posing as if they are being discriminated against, my repeated answer is that only if there is any wrongdoing, partiality or injustice would we perhaps bring it to the attention of the ministry, but otherwise there are procedures which have to be gone through and the ultimate decision would always be taken after examining the price and quality of anything totally in national interest. How can such a statement require further proof of innocence?

nchsrini : are this is a big conspiracy either by congress or ISI
Jaya Jaitley : The Congress, the ISI and arms dealers have no stake in honesty nor in our nation's security. It is obvious that their interests are being commonly served by their tool Tehelka.

forensic : PLEASE TELL US HOW COME CONG IS SHOUTING
Jaya Jaitley : People who are going down the drain are trying to salvage themselves by throwing their filth on others. Particularly since they are supporting charge sheeted Laloo who is president of the RJD and chargesheeted Rabri, the chief minister of Bihar.

nchsrini : madam, if tehelka is wrong (i feel there might be 50/50 chance), why don't you come out openly..instead of beating around the bush, have a face to face with a common forum organized by one of the media...? why don't u blast them out???
Jaya Jaitley : I have already made a public statement that tehelka consists of dubious characters having assembled dubious material with funds obtained from dubious sources. I do not think any self-respecting media person who has learnt the basic ethics of journalism can condone that they have gathered some loose talk and not cared to verify it or cross check with me. If they were concerned about the country, they could have told me what certain people were saying and asked me to respond.

Hareesh : Mrs Jaya, People in AP Say that the tapes were out 1 month back and tehelka was funded by congress, they have now come openly just before the polls
Jaya Jaitley : It is very likely and I wish anyone in the know would bring proof of this in front of the world to save honesty in both journalism and politics.

rhett : Have you ever taken a bribe in your lifetime? Be honest. And what's this 'money for party work thing? We never expected this from you.
Jaya Jaitley : I never have and never will take a bribe nor do I allow it. This is one of the most important aspects of our political campaign. If you read the transcript of the tapes, you will see that I have clearly explained that the party was organising its national convention. The money for this would come from donations from the public and registration fees of the delegates. Flags and posters and food arrangements do not come free. All this money is accounted for. If people joined political parties they would learn that these very basic things in public life can be done openly and honestly. The people who are accusing us today are those who use helicopters at the drop of a hat, have a nine crore worth building built for their party office which they do not use for that purpose and are spending two crore rupees on their party convention in Bangalore tomorrow and day-after according to the press.

Jaya Jaitley : I hope I have answered the important issues. Thank you. Goodbye.

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