File photo of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Shivraj Singh Chouhan's call for a CBI inquiry into the Vyapam scam came after deliberations with the BJP's top leadership, sources said, in which the Madhya Pradesh chief minister assured is party that the investigation would not singe him.
The CM also forwarded a status report on the mounting death toll of people linked to the scam and informed the BJP leaders that investigations indicated the deaths were unrelated and most were natural, sources said.
At last count the number of deaths linked to the scam was a staggering 36. Among them, journalist Akshay Singh, whose death on Saturday while reporting on the Vyapam scam turned it into a national controversy.
Mr Chouhan, who had so far not recommend a CBI inquiry into the scam despite much pressure from the opposition Congress, held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon and said he was requesting the Madhya Pradesh High Court to transfer the investigation from the state police to the CBI.
"The government should be above suspicion. We need to answer if any questions are raised. People also want to know what is happening in the case," he said.
Sources said at the briefing that preceded the announcement, BJP leaders assured Mr Chouhan that since the party was in power at the Centre, it could ensure that the CBI conducts a fair investigation in the case.
Party leaders reject the suggestion that the chief minister has effected a U-turn in recommending a CBI probe after days of saying that it was unnecessary because the High Court, which is monitoring the current investigation, had rejected the demand for it.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had backed Mr Chouhan on Monday asserting that the court would decide it a CBI probe was needed.
Today's move is also designed to take the sting out of the Congress' attack on Mr Chouhan, spearheaded by senior leader Digvijaya Singh whose appeal for a CBI probe is one of four that the Supreme Court will hear on Thursday.