Kulkarni defends Advani on cash-for-vote drama

Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former aide of Leader of Opposition L K Advani, on Saturday defended the former on the issue of the cash-for-vote scam that rocked the proceedings in Parliament in July 2008.

Kulkarni's defence of Advani came a day after expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh fired a fresh salvo at octogenarian leader, accusing him of being at the centre of the cash-for-votes scam drama enacted in the Lok Sabha last year.

"I am saddened to see that the name of Shri L K Advani has been unnecessarily and negatively mentioned in this episode. I remain firm in my belief that the party did the right thing by attempting to expose this shameful scandal, which remains a blot on India's democracy. I do not regret my own participation in the attempt to expose this scandal, through a sting operation carried out by a reputed television channel," Kulkarni told a private television channel

"The TV channel had agreed to telecast the sting operation after catching the culprits red-handed on tape. Shockingly, the channel backed out of its commitment at the last moment. As a result, the people of India could not get to know the truth of this scandal. My role was that of a facilitator in the whistle-blowing operation. I am willing to face any fair inquiry," added Kulkarni.

Speaking of Advani's role in the cash-for-vote scam, Singh had said, "It's a great sense of pity. Here was a man who was consumed by an ambition to be prime minister, and that desire made him commit so many mistakes."

"Do you know this whole wretched thing of money for votes is a classic example of wrong decision making and it''s extremely troubling that he did not stand up and say no. Advaniji was at the centre of this whole drama," he told a magazine during an interview.