BJP demands CM step down after court orders FIR against her

NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP today demanded resignation of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in the wake of a Delhi court ordering registration of FIR against her and others for allegedly misusing government funds for a 2008 pre-assembly poll advertisement campaign.

"The BJP's stand has been vindicated by the court order today. The Chief Minister has lost moral right to continue. She should resign immediately and if she refuses to do so, she should be sacked," Delhi BJP Chief Vijay Goel said.

Special Judge Narottam Kaushal today ordered registration of FIR against Dikshit on a complaint filed by BJP leader Vijender Gupta in which he had alleged that Dikshit misused government funds to the tune of Rs 22.56 crore in an advertisement campaign ahead of the 2008 assembly polls.

Following the court order, Gupta also demanded immediate sacking of Dikshit.

"She must be sacked immediately. Order by a court to registration of FIR against the Chief Minister is a very serious matter. If she is not removed, we will launch a massive agitation," said Gupta.

Gupta said he had sought registration of FIR against Dikshit and others for alleged criminal breach of trust (section 409 IPC), criminal misappropriation of public funds and criminal misconduct under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

In May, Delhi Lokayukta had held Dikshit guilty of same allegation of misusing public funds on the advertisement campaign to get political mileage ahead of last assembly polls and recommended recovery of Rs 11 crore either from her or Congress.

Lokayukta Justice Manmohan Sarin had even recommended to President Pranab Mukherjee to administer "caution" to Dikshit for the alleged misuse of public funds for a series of advertisements carried out in print and outdoor media in 2007-08 with punchline "Delhi is changing".

It was Vijender Gupta who had filed the complaint against Dikshit with Lokayukta also.

Goel said the BJP will launch an all out agitation to press for resignation of the Chief Minister.

"She has been under scanner in the past for Commonwealth Games Scam, DJB scam and several other scams. All her cabinet colleagues have also been involved in several cases of corruption," he alleged.