Leh, May 8: A group of journalists in Jammu and Kashmir's Leh accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of "bribing for favourable coverage" to influence the Lok Sabha elections. A clip has emerged of envelopes being handed out to media personnel at a press conference in Leh last week. In the CCTV footage, BJP leader Vikram Randhawa can be seen handing out envelopes to the journalist. The party's state unit chief Ravinder Raina was also present. Denying all allegations, the BJP said it will sue the journalists. Delhi Police Assistant Sub-Inspector Assaults Journalist on Duty; Watch Video.

Rinchen Angmo, a journalist, had claimed that a BJP leader handed out an envelope to four media personnel, including her, in front of Raina. "When we asked what is in the envelope, they told us not to open it then and that it is a token of love. When I checked, I saw many Rs. 500 notes. I returned it to them. But they refused to take it back. So I kept it on the table," Angmo quoted saying by NDTV. However, LatestLY cannot verify the authenticity of the video. Rahul Gandhi Helps Journalist, Takes Him to AIIMS After He Met Accident, Watch Video.

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The CCTV clip shows a woman leaving an envelope on the table. "We don't believe in bribing anybody. We hold journalists in high esteem. BJP has never done such a thing and we will never do it," a BJP leader said, reported NDTV.

Earlier, Press Club in Leh had written to the election officer and accused Raina of influencing the journalist at Hotel Singge Palance. The ruling party has denied the allegations and said the lawmakers were handing out invites for Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's rally. It also added that it will sue the journalist.

Meanwhile, former chief Ministers Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah called for action after the video emerged. Mufti also praised the journalists and election officer in Leh for bringing the matter to notice.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 08, 2019 03:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).