Cong govt behind CWG corruption, says Gadkari

New Delhi: BJP today attempted to drag the Prime Minister's Office into the CWG controversy, questioning why the PMO and Union Cabinet did not verify before approving the "inflated budget" of various Games projects and demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe into alleged irregularities.

Terming the alleged bungling as a "very big scam", BJP president Nitin Gadkari said a detailed probe should be held by a JPC to "uncover the involvement of the political leadership".

He said the CBI should also investigate the corruption charges and submit its report within three months.

Gadkari claimed that BJP has substantial documents to prove involvement of political leaders and the party would submit them to a JPC.

"All types of increase in estimates were approved by the Cabinet sub-committee and the PMO. Before approving (the inflated cost), why they did not verify," Gadkari said wondering "whether the whole cabinet is responsible for the chaos and corruption in CWG preparations."

Gadkari claimed that benami financial deals took place in CWG projects through the Mauritius route.

He said that out of the Rs 70,000 crore spent on the Games, only Rs 350 crore were spent on Indian sportspersons.

Terming the current probe ordered by the Prime Minister as a "eyewash", he demanded that all agencies involved in the Games preparations, both from the Centre as well as Delhi Government, should be brought under the ambit of the investigations.

"Peoples' money was looted in the name of the Games and strict action must be taken against those involved in the scam. It is a very serious issue and the party will take the issue to the people," he said.

Congress hits back at Gadkari

Just a couple of hours after the BJP chief attempted to drag the PMO in the CWG controversy, the Congress hit back at him and said Gadkari has crossed all limits.

Addressing the media, Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said that the press conference by Gadkari seems like a diversionary tactic and the BJP chief worried about CWG probe reaching him and his aides. (Watch: Gadkari has lost all limits, says Manish Tiwari)

"The demeanour of the BJP president is like a spoilt child who would do anything to draw attention to himself. That's why we don't usually take him seriously. But today he exceeded himself ," said the Congress spokesperson.