Audio clip of CM luring partyman with post unearthed
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan
New Delhi: After Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, it was the turn of her Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan to face the Opposition’s heat. A day ahead of the crucial bypoll to the Garoth Assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh’s Mandsaur district, the Congress filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the CM for allegedly violating the model code of conduct. The Garoth byelection has been necessitated following the death of BJP MLA Rajesh Yadav.
The Congress alleged that Mr Chouhan has violated the model code of conduct by asking a local party leader to ensure that a particular community votes in favour of the BJP and in return he (Mr Chouhan) assured the leader a “big post” and more “benefits”.
The Opposition party also submitted a purported audio conversation between the CM and party leader Rajesh Choudhry, who was also one of the potential candidates for the Garoth seat.
However, the state BJP refuted the allegations and termed the audiotape as “fake”. BJP leaders said it was an attempt to defame Mr Chouhan ahead of the bypoll. BJP MLA and spokesman Vishwas Sarang said, “The audio clip is totally fake and a part of Congress’ dirty tricks department. There is nothing in it. The Congress is losing badly in the bypoll and, therefore, it is trying to defame the BJP and Chouhan. The people of Garoth will give a befitting reply to them tomorrow.”
Show me proof, I will probe, says Maharashtra CM:
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said he was ready to order a probe into corruption charges against state minister Pankaja Munde in awarding contracts if the opposition furnishes evidence.
“If the Opposition (Congress and NCP) comes out with evidence that norms have been flouted we are ready to conduct an inquiry into the purchases,” Mr Fadnavis said. Ms Pankaja has come under a cloud with the Congress accusing her department of awarding contracts for purchase of a host of items totalling Rs 206 crore for ICDS institutions.
( Source : deccan chronicle/pti )
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