Harish Rawat quizzed by CBI over CD

Playing the “victim” card, Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Rawat appeared before the CBI on Tuesday for questioning in connection with the agency’s probe into the sting operation allegedly involving him and claimed “innocence”.

Mr Rawat, accompanied by some supporters and an MLA, arrived at the CBI headquarters here at 11 am. After a prolonged grilling, which lasted for over five hours, the CBI claimed that the Uttarakhand chief minister could not furnish full and complete details on many issues.

After the questioning was over, Mr Rawat said he cannot reveal the questions asked by the probe team.

Talking to mediapersons outside the CBI headquarters, he said, “I need not produce any evidence. I am innocent. I am not involved in horse trading at all. I once again say that I did not offer money to any one. I never said I want MLAs. I will come again on June 7 for examination. People of electronic media reach anywhere. I accorded that journalist respect and he blackmailed me. Media needs to ponder over this,” he said. Mr Rawat said he could not come on May 9 as he was engaged in the floor test which was scheduled a few days later.

In a show of strength, the Uttarkhand chief minister also addressed his supporters at his 9, Trimurti Lane residence soon after the completion of questioning.

Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, Mr Rawat said, “We are not here to fight against Modiji or Amit Shah. But if they keep pinching us, then they should not forget that sometimes even ant can trouble an elephant.”