New Delhi, Mar 18 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today appeared to raise doubts over the veracity of diplomatic correspondence cited by the Wikileaks and insisted that he had "not authorised anybody" to purchase votes nor was he involved in any such "transactions".
"I think, people who are affected by them (Wikileaks expose), they have already commented on them, casting serious doubts about the veracity of allegations made in these diplomatic despatches," Singh said here while commenting on the Wikileaks expose which alleged that MPs were purchased during the 2008 trust vote.
"I have no knowledge of any such purchases and I am absolutely categorical, I have not authorised anyone to purchase any votes. I am not aware of any acts of purchase of votes," he said while replying to questions at the India Today Summit.
"I am absolutely certain in asserting that I am not at all, I think, involved in any of these transactions," the Prime Minister insisted.His response, however, did not categorically clarify whether or not the purchases took place at all during the Confidence Motion on July 22, 2008.
Watch Video:- PM Denies Wikileaks Claims About Cash-For-Votes Scandal
Watch Video :- WikiLeaks cash-for-vote expose Congress
"As far as the events of the last few days (are concerned) and the so-called Wikileaks, I would not like to comment," Singh said about the Opposition onslaught on the government following the Wikileaks expose.
"I would not like to comment on what we are going to do right now or in days to come. These are the matters which are being discussed in Parliament. If I have anything to say, we would say in Parliament first," he said.
Singh was answering questions over the correspondence mentioned in Wikileaks between the US Embassy here and Washington in which it was alleged that Congress had kept Rs 50-60 crore for buying MPs to vote in favour of the UPA-I.
After the correspondence was made public yesterday, the Opposition has raised demands for the resignation of the government, saying it was the "most corrupt" dispensation of Independent India and allegations against it had maligned the country.
Talking about the issue of corruption, the Prime Minister said "some inadequacies have become apparent in our systems of functioning" and "we have to deal squarely with the malaise".
He said there was a need to "reform and improve governance" at all levels and there should be no doubt about his government's commitment to root out corruption, to clean our political system of the malaise that is of concern to public at large.
Agreeing with a questioner that allegations like 'cash-for-vote' affects the country's image, Singh said, "thislays an emphasis that we need strong, purposeful electoralreforms in which funding of elections and political parties can be more transparent (and) accountable than it is presently."
To a question on growing demands by various communities for reservation in jobs and educational institutions, the Prime Minister said Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and some minority communities have "suffered from persistent discrimination" over centuries and the government has an obligation to correct it.
This can be done by affirmative action, he said, adding the government was, at the same time, committed to excellence and rewarding of excellence. PTI
