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 TALKS TO KUSHAGRA BAJAJIn this phone conversation, Amar Singh is heard discussing business with Khushagra Bajaj who heads Bajaj Hindusthan, the country's biggest sugar producer with a huge footprint in Uttar Pradesh. They are heard discussing the UP government's sugar policy. "I consider you as my father," Mr Bajaj says. (
Note: NDTV cannot verify the authenticity of these tapes)
In his defence, Amar Singh said these tapes are "a jovial conversation between jovial friends." He also offered this analogy, "Flirting with a lady doesn't mean I have raped her."
Kushagra Bajaj: Dada, thanks a lot... I called to say the policy has been cleared... I just got a call from Sharma ji, that it has been cleared... it's cleared in the Chief Secretary's meeting. We will get the Eligibility Certificate tomorrow, He had received a call from Rahul Bhatnagar...
Amar Singh: There is only one thing I have to say, Beta. Do not take it otherwise. Nobody is closer to me than you are. I am telling you... keep in touch with Salman... keep in touch with the BJP. I am giving it to you in black and white... no one can do things for you like I do. Whatever you wish will happen, as long as I remain in power...
Kushagra Bajaj: ....Dada, what are you saying, I consider you as my father not a politician of Samajwadi Party, I say this from my heart. This is not emotional. I am saying it after considerable thought. I have blind faith in you.
Amar Singh: That is why I am telling you, that you get all your work done. Because if we do not remain in power... it is not reversed, and the way that you have grown (your size has increased) then... you'll be free and nobody will be able to touch you. Once you are set, no-one can uproot you. The Eligibility Certificate has been received. Then the Sugar Policy has been made...
Kushagra Bajaj: That is right. Now we'll begin to get money... long term perspective is that because the policy is valid for 10 years and if the ISMA files any legal case, I too have a right to be heard in the Court independently of the government of UP.
Amar Singh: Suppose the government changes and they do not cooperate with you...
Kushagra Bajaj: Forget about it. I don't foresee any chance of this happening. But even when this government is in power, if the ISMA files a case, at any time, then there are two parties now - one is the government of UP and another me... I can go and say that the government of UP made the policy and based on that I invested, what is my fault in this?
Amar Singh: This is to tell you that Rahul Bhatnagar and... has done it and not Meera.
Kushagra Bajaj: For me, Rahul Bhatnagar or Amar Singh... there is only one person, Meera and Rahul Bhatnagar are nothing if you would not speak to the Chief Secretary. Had you not spoken to Deepak Singhal ji - and to Atul Chaturvedi, then what could Rahul Bhatnagar have done?
Amar Singh: No, no, I have talked to each and every one... but also do some drama, baba.
Kushagra Bajaj: I had already told you... and if I ever get a chance in life, I do not know if I can ever repay you in gratitude even 1% of what you have done for me... I would die in peace.
Amar Singh: I have only this request of you, as a leader you should fix a meeting with Vivek and Dhruv too. In my party I abuse two persons most... Beni Prasad Varma and Pandey. But I also keep bearing their abuses... because I think I am so bigger than them in stature that I should ignore them. I am not saying that you stop your growth, but to be truly a leader, if someone were to request me with folded hands... I want that all four of us should have a meeting.
Kushagra Bajaj: Whenever and whatever you say
Amar Singh: And without aggression... the way you went and had a meal at K K Birla's house... and said, "Dadaji, we will have to do this". So you just say "Dhruv, we will have to do this" "Bhai Vivek, we will have to do this" and you are also free to come into our area...
Kushagra Bajaj: Dada, I do not have any problem at all with Dhruv, with him... everything is settled. We talk every 2-3 days...
Amar Singh: OK then, you, I and Vivek should meet.
Kushagra Bajaj: Bring Dhruv also because he is also...
Amar Singh: Look, I am concerned because you are all close... till the eligibility certificate it was my duty, I have helped you grow, prepared the sugar policy according to what you said. Overcome the lacunae... got the sugar policy implemented, got your project set up. My major responsibility is over. Now I should not be branded as I only work for Bajaj Hindustan. Other industrialists should think that I am in the business of governance also. Even though I only work for you...
Kushgra Bajaj: It should perceived the other way.
Amar Singh: It should be perceived differently
Amar Singh: In the NRI convention... I made Dhruv talk and not you