Arjun blames Rao for Anderson's escape

NEW DELHI: Arjun Singh broke his silence on the Bhopal gas tragedy only to lay the blame for Warren Anderson’s escape at the then home minister P V Narasimha Rao’s doorstep and to insulate late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi from the Opposition’s attack. Making an intervention in the Rajya Sabha during the discussion on the tragedy, Mr Singh hoped that the “clamour” about him “speaking out” would subside. The Opposition was not satisfied with the explanation given by the former Madhya Pradesh chief minister.

Mr Singh said the decision to arrest Anderson on his arrival at Bhopal was his alone, though letting him off on bail was the result of persistence by the Union home ministry. Even as Mr Singh sought to point fingers at the then home minister, it was unnamed home ministry officials who were held responsible for actively seeking Anderson’s bail. “The chief secretary (Brahm Swaroop) informed me that there were persistent calls for granting bail to Mr Anderson from home ministry officials in Delhi. I told him to do whatever he wanted to do but asked him that Anderson’s arrest be recorded so that he can be summoned again and we can arraign him in court,” Mr Singh said.

Mr Singh’s intervention failed to provide a complete picture. Referring to Anderson’s flying a state plane from bhopal to Delhi after his release on bail, Mr Singh said: “When he was sent back, I thought it was incongruous that Anderson took a state plane to leave Bhopal.” He however, refused to elaborate saying that that he “did not want to enlarge on these things as it would add grief and bitterness”.

Mr Singh said that he was willing to face any punishment “for this act, if it is considered to have been against the people of Madhya Pradesh”. Mr Singh said that he made up his mind to arrest the former Union Carbide chief as soon as he learnt that Anderson was coming to Bhopal. “I did not consult anyone. I personally briefed the officers (about) the decision to arrest Anderson. I gave my order in writing.”

Mr Singh said Rajiv Gandhi was in Harsud town of Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh when Anderson was arrested. “Rajivji heard me out without any comment and said let us move to another meeting. Rajivji did not have any kind of sympathy for anyone, much less Mr Anderson.” Clearly not satisfied with Mr Singh’s explanation BJP charged that the statement “hides more than it reveals”.