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BJP vows to

prosecute Rao

if elected

NEW DELHI: India's main opposition party on Monday vowed to prosecute Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in connection with a sweeping bribery scandal if it wins upcoming parliamentary elections.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian People's Party) said federal detectives did not appear to be pursuing allegations by a businessman at the heart of the scandal that Rao had taken bribes from him.

"If the BJP comes to power, it will initiate legal proceedings against the prime minister," the United News of India (UNI) quoted party leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee as saying in Bhopal, central India.

"We will give full opportunity to Rao to defend his case," Vajpayee said.

The scandal involves 115 politicians, including leaders of Rao's Congress (I) party and the opposition, and top bureaucrats who allegedly accepted bribes from the businessman between 1988 and 1991 in return for favours.

The businessman reportedly told federal detectives probing the case that he had also paid money to Rao, who became prime minister in June 1991. Rao's aides have denied the charge.

The corruption scandal, the worst in India, has sullied the image of many leading politicians, including seven former members of Rao's cabinet as well as BJP president Lal Krishna Advani.

The Hindu-revivalist BJP is making its strongest bid to come to power from the staggered elections which start April 27.-AFP