Commenting on the Jethmalani soap opera last week, this column posed two questions: what damaging information does Ram Jethmalani have "implicating" the ...
By the time this appears in print, it is possible that Jethmalani will have made his threatened exposure. Twice last week, he told TV channels that before the polls ended he would reveal something that would damage the PM's integrity. Jethmalani's daily dose of 10 questions is intended to work on the PM's nerves before the knockout punch. It remains to be seen whether the lawyer has anything to deliver besides hot air.
But what does Jethmalani want from the PM? During negotiations for his withdrawal, both Brajesh Mishra and George Fernandes separately met the lawyer. In his meeting with Fernandes, the lawyer brought up the question of winding up of the Phukan Commission of inquiry investigating the Tehelka tapes. Last week, Jethmalani repeated this demand when interviewed by Outlook. He repeated it again on TV.
Perhaps this really could be Jethmalani's main demand. Several celebrities and editors including V.S. Naipaul and Khushwant Singh have made the same demand. But surely not for the sake of Tarun Tejpal. He faces no court case. Professionally, he is thriving. He has boycotted the commission's proceedings and there is no objection. Only the army officers who were lured into temptation face court-martial. The politicians have been exonerated. Then why?
The PM disclosed that the party had already chosen his successor. M.M. Joshi indicated that L.K. Advani was the successor. If Vajpayee somehow could be forced to quit office, Advani would succeed him. But what could that have to do with the Phukan Commission?
In March 2001, The Hindu quoted Mathew Samuel—who coordinated the Tehelka sting operation—claiming that the tapes contained allegations against Advani related to payment of commission for border fencing and communication systems provided by an Israeli company. "The videotapes are in safe custody abroad," Samuel told the newspaper.
Now, all the 100 hours of tape are lying with the Phukan Commission. Do the tapes contain anything on Advani and the Israeli company? If not, have all the Tehelka tapes been delivered to the commission? If there is nothing on Advani in the tapes, will the commission summon Samuel for questioning? For the sake of transparency, will the commission make available to the public transcripts of all the 100 hours of tapes?
Before the Phukan Commission is wound up, the public has a right to know.