Bribe charge shuts MP House

Madhya Pradesh Assembly’s budget session was adjourned sine die amid uproar over a Samajwadi Party MLA’s allegation that he was given Rs 10 lakh to support Independent Vivek Tankha for election to the Rajya Sabha. Both BJP and Congress members accused each other of horse-trading, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House.

MLA Kishore Samrite claimed on Tuesday evening that former Congress minister NP Prajapati gave him Rs 10 lakh to support Tankha, a Supreme Court lawyer and Congress-supported candidate. Tankha, however, dismissed the charge as fabricated and scandalous. He also threatened to sue Samrite for tarnishing his image.

“Why should I offer bribe to Samrite when his party has already pledged to issue a whip in my support for the Rajya Sabha election,” Tankha asked.

Samrite called reporters to his MLA Rest House residence on Tuesday night and showed 10 packets of Rs 1 lakh currency notes in the denomination of Rs 1,000. A day before, the MLA had announced that he would not vote for Tankha and defy the party whip, if it were issued. The Samajwadi Party with eight MLAs is supporting Tankha’s candidature.

Samrite alleged that former Congress minister Rajendra Singh called him on his mobile phone and said Tankha told him that his “requirement” would be taken care of. Singh also said he (Samrite) would get Rs 10 lakh in the evening and Rs 15 lakh more after the voting on March 28. Samrite said Prajapati reached the Rest House in an ambassador and called him out. When he went outside, Prajapati gave him a packet with the currency notes.