Tanker scam "politically motivated": Sheila Dikshit

Allahabad, Aug 31 (PTI) Former Delhi Chief Minister SheilaDikshit today claimed that the ‘tanker scam’ was a"politically motivated conspiracy" aimed at derailing her pollcampaign in Uttar Pradesh where the Congress has named her theChief Ministerial candidate for the upcoming assemblyelections. "The so-called tanker scam is a politically motivatedconspiracy. It is clear from the timing. The matter has beenraised at a time when I am busy with the partyÂ’s poll campaignin UP," she said. The tanker scam pertains to alleged irregularities inpurchase of stainless steel water tanker by Delhi Jal Boardduring Dikshit’s tenure as Delhi Chief Minister. "Even the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, which is makingso much of noise over alleged irregularities, can not say thatthere was any compromise on quality since all the tankerspurchased during my tenure are in use," Dikshit added. Flanked by senior leaders like the partyÂ’s campaigncommittee chief for UP Sanjay Singh and MLA, former statepresident Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Dikshit was addressing a pressconference before flagging off a number of vehicles carryingrelief material for flood-affected districts of the state. Replying to a query, she said "there is no doubt that notjust party workers but even common people feel energised inthe presence of Priyanka Gandhi." "But we must respect her right to take a decision on whenand where to join the partyÂ’s campaign in UP," she said. Accusing BJP of "vada khilafi" (betrayal of promise) onall issues including the Ram temple at Ayodhya, she claimedthere is a sense of "fatigue" among the people of the statewith parties which have successively ruled UP since theCongress was ousted 27 years ago. "It was three decades ago when the sad incident ofdemolition of Babri Masjid took place. Since then the BJP hasbeen making the promise of Ram temple in election afterelection. It is not able to move an inch on the issue even nowwhen it is in power at the Centre, for more than two years,with an absolute majority." PTI NAC SG RGSG