Cong Claims Godman Close to Chg Home Minister Tried to Purchase Its MLA
The Congress in poll-bound Chhattisgrah Wednesday filed a complaint with state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) alleging the ruling BJP was trying to "lure" its MLA with "the promise of money and a ministerial berth" to cross over to the saffron party.
Raipur (CG), Oct 17 (PTI) The Congress in poll-bound Chhattisgrah Wednesday filed a complaint with state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) alleging the ruling BJP was trying to "lure" its MLA with "the promise of money and a ministerial berth" to cross over to the saffron party.
The opposition party has demanded "de-recognition" of the BJP while accusing the ruling party of being engaged in "political trading" ahead of the next month's assembly polls at the behest of Chief Minister Raman Singh and Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra, a charge denied by the CM.
A delegation led by Congress spokesperson Kiranmayi Nayak submitted a memorandum to the CEO.
"A self-styled godman 'kambal wale baba' allegedly tried to offer money to Chintamani Maharaj, the Congress MLA from Lundra constituency, at the behest of the BJP to switch over to the ruling party," Nayak alleged.
An audio tape containing purported conversation between Maharaj and Baba has gone viral on social media Tuesday.
Maharaj claimed that Baba called him up on October 14 and asked him to meet senior leaders of the BJP and join the party fold.
In the purported conversation, Baba can be heard offering decent money to Maharaj and promising him a ministerial berth if the BJP comes to power again, Nayak alleged.
"Baba was allegedly trying to purchase the Congress MLA at the behest of Chief Minister Raman Singh and Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra," Nayak said while claiming that the incident amounts to violation of Article 324 of Constitution and section 123 of the Representation of the People Act.
Baba can be heard saying that state unit working president of Congress and MLA Ramdayal Uike, who recently joined BJP, was offered Rs 10 crore and promised a ministerial berth, she alleged.
Nayak also claimed that the godman was closely associated with Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra.
"Fearing defeat in the upcoming elections, the BJP is engaged in political trading and offering money to Congress MLAs," the spokesperson alleged.
She said, "This act of the BJP proves that it is apprehensive of losing power in the state and is afraid of the Congress".
The Congress has requested the CEO to de-recognise the BJP, Nayak said.
The Congress also requested the election commission to take action and lodge a case against Baba, Singh and Paikra.
Refuting the charges, Chief Minister Raman Singh said the BJP was strong enough to win elections on its own strength.
"BJP is confident of winning 65 seats (out of total 90 seats) in the elections and it has no need to do such things. The party will win elections on its own strength," Singh told reporters.
Like 'Kambal baba', there are several self-styled godmen who are engaged in 'jugad' (arrangements) to run their businesses, the CM said, adding that the BJP has no connection with such people.
A controversy had erupted last year when Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra had met 'Kambal wale baba'.
Baba, said to be active in Surguja region of the state, claims that he can cure diseases of people by covering them with his blanket.
He could not be contacted for comments.
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)