Opposition accuses BJP of conspiracy

Bhopal, Mar 19: Congress and other opposition parties in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday described as ruling BJP's conspiracy bribing of Samajwadi Party MLA Kishore Samrite to vote in favour of Congress-supported independent candidate Vivek Tankha for the Rajya Sabha election, while BJP declared to launch a state-wide political agitation against Congress.

Allegation by Samrite that he was offered bribe of Rs 10 lakh does not hold water and is confusing,” said Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Jamuna Devi, adding that Samrite was a liar. Charging the involvement of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the conspiracy to tarnish the image of Tanka, she said Chouhan himself was embroiled in alleged corruption in dumper purchase case and Tankha was the counsel against chief minister. Regarding the demand for an inquiry by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ms Jamuna Devi said the party did not make any such demand but was ready for any type of inquiry.

Denying to have offered bribe, Congress MLA Rajendra Singh admitted that he had visited Samrite once as an election agent of Tankha and also talked to him on phone to inform about the whip issued by SP but no offer was made about money for voting. SP state unit President Narayan Tripathi put his party MLA in the dock saying when the party had issued a whip in favour of Tankha then there was no question of bribing Samrite. “Samrite's integrity is doubtful and he is making allegations at the behest of BJP as part of its conspiracy,” said Tripathi, adding that Samrite would be removed from the party if he violated the whip.

Condemning the bribing case, state BJP President Narendra Singh Tomar said Congress was making a face saving attempt as it had a history of indulging in horse-trading. “BJP has 50 votes extra hence it fielded a third candidate and party will consider taking the issue to the Election Commission,” Tomar said, adding the government would provide security to Samrite. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stoutly denied the Congress charge about his 'involvement' in the conspiracy to offer bribe to Samajwadi Party MLA Kishore Samrite for the Rajya Sabha elections saying he never believed in such politics.

“I was not willing to give any reaction on this matter but the way in which leader of opposition Ms Jamuna Devi has been charging me for hatching the conspiracy forced me to react,” said Chouhan told reporters at the Assembly premises. Main opposition Congress suspected his involvement in every issue and it showed Congress was afraid of him, Chouhan said. “The law will take its course and the state government is ready to probe the matter through any state investigating agency,” Chouhan added.