Naidu criticises PM for his silence on corruption in CWG

New Delhi, Aug 3 (UNI) BJP senior leader Venkaiah Naidu today came down heavily on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for keeping mum after the Central Vigilance Commission report had exposed corruption in the Commonwealth Games.

''Why are the Prime Minister, the Central and Delhi governments are silent on the CVC report, which has highlighted large-scale corruption in the Games,'' Mr Naidu said at a press conference here.

He added that they should have been alert in addressing to these complaints and not think the people were innocent. ''The Prime Minister will have to reply on four-point
allegations-- delay in the projects, use of sub-standard material, high-level corruption and misuse of authority,'' he said.

''What was the need of 87 foreign visits by the government officials even to those countries which have no link to the Games?'' the BJP's Delhi In-Charge asked.

Criticising Union Sports Minister MS Gill for not taking the Games seriously, Mr Naidu said all the responsible officials have only focused on ''creating wealth instead of commonwealth''.

''The main idea behind the name 'Commonwealth' was to create wealth in common and for all. However, unfortunately the concerned officials have been engaged in creating individual wealth leading to misuse of the event and harm the cause of the sports and the pride of the country,'' he alleged.

Reacting to the reports of leaking roof of weight lifting auditorium inaugurated on August 1 by Union Minister for Urban Development Jaipal Reddy, Mr Naidu quipped, ''When the water must have fallen on his head, the Minister then would have known the
reality.''

The senior BJP leader claimed that the BJP was the strongest supporter of sports in India and was never against the Commonwealth Games. ''Unfortunately despite reminding the government from time to time about the delay in works related to the Games it did not take it seriously and now the nation's pride is at stake,'' he said.