Politicians of different hues stand up for Gavit

In a departure from the past, Minister of State for Home Manikrao Gavit, accused of links with a UP-based land mafia don Sunder Singh Bhati, found support from Opposition MPs even as he expressed readiness to face any probe on the matter.

"I would quit public life if there is even an iota of truth in the allegation that I spoke to a don from UP for transferring a jail official," he said in a statement in both Houses of Parliament.

An all-party meeting later decided that instead of a probe by a parliamentary panel, the matter should be dealt with at the governmental level.

In the past, such incidents have divided the House on party lines, but not, it seems, in the case of Gavit who received support from not just Leader of the Opposition L K Advani who suggested that sting operations be legislated upon, but also Sharad Yadav of the JD(U), Amar Singh and Mohan Singh of the SP, and Sushma Swaraj of the BJP.

"I have not done any illegal thing in my life so far," said Gavit. He called for a time-bound probe by a House panel into the matter.

Declaring that he would not participate in any work of the government and Parliament till the probe was completed, he said the allegation against him was an attempt to tarnish his reputation.

A news channel had yesterday publicised an alleged phone conversation between Gavit and land mafia don Bhati who is lodged in a Bulandshahr jail over a land deal.