BSP chief Mayawati today accused the Centre of misusing the CBI during elections, saying the case pertaining to the sale of 21State-owned sugar mills during her tenure as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister was being given a political colour. Her remarks came after the CBI registered an FIR and six preliminary enquiries to probe alleged irregularities in the sale of the 21 sugar mills.
“In this election, the BJP is misusing government institutions including the CBI, which has never happened earlier. The case pertaining to the sugar mills is being given a political colour, and this is an example of gross misuse of the CBI,” she alleged.
“The department concerned sold the sugar mills. If there is any shortcoming, then it can be probed. But, the timing is wrong, and the action carried out during the election is misguiding people. The public must remain alert about this conspiracy,” Mayawati told reporters here during a press conference. The sale of the sugar mills in 2011-12 led to a loss of Rs 1,179 crore to the state exchequer, according to officials.
The Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in the State had recommended a CBI probe in the matter on April 12 last year. The agency has not named as accused any official of the Uttar Pradesh government or any politician of the state, the officials said.