How many BJP-ruled states given gen consent to CBI: PC

Amid a political war of words over the CBI, former Home Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday indicated that only 10 states have given general consent to agency to investigate and asked how many BJP-ruled states have done so.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram asked, "is it correct that only 10 States have given ‘general consent’ to CBI to investigate? How many States currently ruled by the BJP have not given general consent?"

"I think answers to these questions are necessary to frame the debate on 'withdrawal of general consent' by Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal," he said.

Chidambaram's remarks came as BJP targeted Opposition parties, especially TDP and Trinamool Congress, claiming that the Andhra and Bengal governments withdrew the general consent to CBI to take up cases there.

On Saturday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley claimed that barring the CBI from probing cases in states was akin to "declaring sovereignty in the matter of corruption" and that only those who had "a lot to hide" feared the central agency.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had come out in support of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Friday saying he has "done the right thing" and that "(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi is misusing the CBI and Income Tax Department. Till today, why hasn't the CBI caught those involved in demonetisation, Vijay Mallya (loan default case), Rafale, Sahara-Birla Diary etc".