New Delhi: The polemics are, as expected, getting more acrimonious and political. After the nano-punishment handed out on Monday in court in the Bhopal gas tragedy, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister today slammed Arjun Singh who was the Congress Chief Minister of the state in 1984 when a gas leak from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal poisoned an entire city.
(In Pics: Warren Anderson) "Arjun Singh has the missing links," said Chouhan, who heads a BJP government.
"I will go to whatever extent possible to get maximum relief for the victims. Arjun Singh should explain the circumstances under which this happened. It is time he made things clear for everyone. He must speak out," he added.
(Arjun Singh disturbed by allegations, claims local media)Monday's verdict saw seven Indian executives of UCC sentenced to two years in prison. They have been granted bail. The real sting lies in the fact that the American CEO Warren Anderson has never faced trial, successfully ignoring court summons from India.
(Read: Anderson's extradition process should be completed, says Congress)Arjun Singh has so far refused to comment on the verdict, or on the multiple accounts by bureaucrats and others that establish that it was his office that asked for Warren Anderson to be flown out of Bhopal on December 7, 1984. Anderson, then the CEO of Union Carbide Corp, had flown into Bhopal a few hours earlier.
(Read:Anderson should stand trial in India: Pallone)He was charged by the CBI with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. After leaving Bhopal on the Chief Minister's plane, he has never returned.
(Did Arjun Singh arrange Anderson's exit?)Arjun Singh's role has also been questioned by his partyman and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, who said to NDTV on Thursday night, "Rajivji left his campaign and came to Bhopal as PM. He did not release Anderson. Why don't you ask any of the following persons: Swaraj Puri, then SP, Bhopal; Moti Singh; then collector Bhopal; Brahm Swarup, then Chief Secretary, and Arjun Singhji, then Chief Minister?"
(Read:Digvijaya defends Rajiv, says Arjun Singh should answer)In different press conferences, the Congress has also said that it will try to fix accountability. Without naming Arjun Singh, party general secretary Janaradhan Dwivedi said "The party has always maintained that all questions that are raised in any such situation must be answered properly and responsibility should be fixed. The same norm applies to this case."
(Watch:Bhopal disaster: The ignored warnings) Earlier this week, Chouhan said that he will work on an appeal against the verdict. "The much-awaited verdict in the Bhopal gas tragedy case is disappointing. Victims can appeal for an increase in the quantum of punishment. Since people of Bhopal are victims in this case and they are represented by the state government, we have decided to file an appeal to get justice for the victims and to increase the sentence of the convicts," Chouhan had said.