The Quint has had exclusive access to the controversial Essar tapes. The taped telephone conversations are evidence of a corporate-political nexus and we’re making the audio available for the first time in the public domain.
Not without reason, the allegations have shocked many. The conversations are more than just a revelation about the corporate-political nexus; they are proof that corporate power brokers exert behind-the-scenes influence over the country’s affairs.
The conversations show how cosily governments and corporates interact and transact, ensuring the smooth functioning of these companies.
Conversation 1: Reliance Bigwig and RIL Employee
In this particular conversation, an RIL bigwig is receiving a briefing from his employee about dealing with a cabinet minister of NDA-1 government (under AB Vajpayee).
Conversation 2: RIL Employee and PS to Former Cabinet Minister
This conversation, in which an RIL employee is speaking with a cabinet minister’s PS, is evidence of the former’s attempt to manipulate the system.
Conversation 3: RIL Employee 1 and PS to Former Cabinet Minister
This particular conversation was about manipulating TRAI policies to favour RIL rather than BSNL.
The authenticity of these tapes has not been verified.
To read the full transcript these conversations, please click here:
The Quint Accesses Essar Audio Tapes: Exclusive Transcripts Part 1
The Quint Accesses Essar Audio Tapes: Exclusive Transcripts Part 2
Suren Uppal, a Supreme Court lawyer, wrote to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on 1 June, with 29 pages of allegations about corruption and the existence of a “political-corporate nexus” between 2001 and 2006. Uppal said that if the PMO refuses to look into the case, he will move a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking a proper investigation.
RIL has responded to these allegations with vehement denials, releasing a strongly-worded statement to the media in its defence. However, this defence came almost 3 months after Uppal had sent the initial caution notice (which The Quint is also in exclusive possession of) to the company against whom allegations had been made, and only after news of the tapes attracted the attention of the media.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)