New Delhi:
Taped conversations of politician Amar Singh, his critics say, suggest a disturbing nexus between politicians and corporates. NDTV cannot verify the authenticity of the tapes that are now in the public domain. Amar Singh has told NDTV that he doubles up as an industrialist and a politician, and that the conversations that may seem inappropriate are in fact informal chats between parties that did business together. He stressed that as an industrialist, he was entitled to pursue business interests, and that he did not influence government decisions despite his considerable political stature in the Samajwadi Party.
(Watch: Amar Singh denies charges)For a period of two months (December 2005-January 2006) ,Amar Singh's phone was tapped. At the time, Amar Singh was the second-in-command of the Samajwadi Party which was in power in Uttar Pradesh with Mulayam Singh Yadav as Chief Minister.
Amar Singh objected in the Supreme Court to his phone being tapped; he blamed Reliance Infocom and the Congress party of illegally tapping his phone. In February 2006, the court banned the media from reporting the contents of the tapes. That ban was lifted by the court yesterday. Amar Singh withdrew his complaint against the Congress earlier this year.
AMAR SINGH AND HEAD OF JAYPEE GROUP DISCUSS CEMENT BID
This is the transcript of a conversation between Amar Singh and Jai Prakash Gaur, Chairman of the Jaypee Group.
The company handles massive projects in UP including the construction of expressways. It also has cement plants. Here, Amar Singh and Mr Gaur are heard discussing a bid for a cement project in Mirzapur
Amar Singh: Hello
Jai Prakash Gaur: Namaste, Jai Prakash speaking
Amar Singh: Namaste , best wishes for Deepawali
Jai Prakash Gaur: Same to you
Amar Singh: Many pranams to you
Jai Prakash Gaur: Are you well?
Amar Singh: Yes alright...do you wish to take the Mirzapur bid for cement?
Jai Prakash Gaur: Yes, yes
Amar Singh: What?
Jai Prakash Gaur: Yes, the bid is on the 15th?
Amar Singh: Yes, there is a bid
Jai Prakash Gaur: Yes sir, will surely take it
Amar Singh: Alright
Jai Prakash Gaur: Actually I am stuck in Rewa
Amar Singh: Hmmm
Jai Prakash Gaur: So this will suit me...you get a 'siding' in it
Amar Singh: What?
Jai Prakash Gaur: You get siding from the railways in this
Amar Singh: hmmm.hmmm
Jai Prakash Gaur: I have no siding in Rewa
Amar Singh: Yes....yes
Jai Prakash Gaur: So...that advantage always remains
Amar Singh: Your competition is with Laapaal
Jai Prakash Gaur: Yes with Laapaal and another
Amar Singh:With Birla
Jai Prakash Gaur: Yes with Birla and Dalmia
Amar Singh: Yes, with Dalmia
Jai Prakash Gaur: There are three...
Amar Singh: You have never told me but see how much I care for you
Jai Prakash Gaur: Of course...ha ha ..you do take care of me...
Amar Singh: Yes, yes
Jai Prakash Gaur: When can we meet...hello
Amar Singh: Yes, who can stop you from meeting
Jai Prakash Gaur: No -no, even then...you were busy in Bihar so i didn't disturb you
Amar Singh: Yes
Jai Prakash Gaur: I will come on the 3rd to Delhi
Amar Singh: Ok you come on the 3rd ...Your Guru Nanak is also coming
Jai Prakash Gaur: Ha ha ..my Nanak is sitting here talking to me
Amar Singh: Do come, you are welcome on 3rd...I will be here, we will meet
Jai Prakash Gaur: Very well then, I'll come