12-07-2003, 12:35 AM
<b>Jogi paid BJP MLAs to defect: Jaitley </b>
Press Trust of India
Raipur, December 6
Outgoing Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi on Saturday gave Rs 45 lakh to some BJP MLAs, asking them to break their party, Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley alleged in Raipur.
Jogi told the MLAs to form a breakaway group which the Congress would support in government formation.
According to latest reports, the Congress has suspended Jogi due to the allegations.
At a late night press conference, Jaitley played a tape purportedly containing the conversation between Jogi and a BJP MLA whom the money was alleged to be offered.
Demanding a CBI inquiry into the entire episode, Jaitley played the tape and displayed currency notes to the tune of Rs 25 lakhs having been allegedly given to BJP MLAs Virendra Pandey and Kashyap.
Jaitley said they had "water-tight" documentary, material and taped evidence against Jogi, his son and Congress MP Kunte for allegedly trying to bribe BJP MLAs to effect a split in BJP's legislature party and prevent formation of a BJP government in the state.
Press Trust of India
Raipur, December 6
Outgoing Chhattisgarh chief minister Ajit Jogi on Saturday gave Rs 45 lakh to some BJP MLAs, asking them to break their party, Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley alleged in Raipur.
Jogi told the MLAs to form a breakaway group which the Congress would support in government formation.
According to latest reports, the Congress has suspended Jogi due to the allegations.
At a late night press conference, Jaitley played a tape purportedly containing the conversation between Jogi and a BJP MLA whom the money was alleged to be offered.
Demanding a CBI inquiry into the entire episode, Jaitley played the tape and displayed currency notes to the tune of Rs 25 lakhs having been allegedly given to BJP MLAs Virendra Pandey and Kashyap.
Jaitley said they had "water-tight" documentary, material and taped evidence against Jogi, his son and Congress MP Kunte for allegedly trying to bribe BJP MLAs to effect a split in BJP's legislature party and prevent formation of a BJP government in the state.