Rao denies holding 'conspiracy' meet

NEW DELHI, MAY 1. The former Prime Minister, Mr. P.V. Narasimha Rao today told a CBI court that he did not hold any meeting at his official residence to hatch a conspiracy to defeat the July 28, 1993 no- confidence motion against his then Government by bribing Opposition MPs.

Mr. Rao's Counsel, Mr. R.K. Anand told the court of the Additional Sessions Judge, Mr. Ajit Bharihoke, holding trial in the MPs bribery case, that the only document about the alleged meeting held a day before the voting on the motion was the statement of the approver, Mr. Shailendra Mahato, in the court. However, this statement could not be relied upon by the court as Mr. Mahato had admitted to having made false statements in Parliament, to the CBI and before a magistrate, Counsel Mr. Anand said.

In fact, Mr. Mahato had made a false statement in the trial court also to have him nominated by the BJP to contest the election, Mr. Anand argued.

According to the CBI, Mr. Mahato and three other JMM MPs of that time had met Mr. Rao at his residence along with another accused, Mr. Buta Singh.

- UNI

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