Bengaluru: Two separate sting operations done by two national TV channels seems to have cast a shadow on the Rajya Sabha elections.
The Times Now and India Today TV channels telecast sting operations about money changing hands during Rajya Sabha elections. In the India Today sting operation, four JD (S) and independent MLAs speak about role of money played in RS polls.
One legislator reportedly says one would get Rs 5 crore for casting the vote with a relative of the JD(S) leader reportedly discussed how much money one had to pay and another saying he would spend Rs 100 crore to get votes of 20 MLAs.
When reached for comment, all the legislators denied discussing a monetary transaction and threatened to file a defamation suit against the TV channels.
In a significant development, chief election commissioner, Dr Nasim Zaidi reportedly told one of the TV channels that following the expose, he would take a call on the fate of elections. However, when contacted, chief electoral officer, Anil Kumar Jha said he had received no direction from the Election Commission of India.
Congress leader, D.K. Shivakumar said it was the JD (S) which was trying to buy votes, while one of the Congress national spokespersons and Karnataka minister for food and civil supplies , Dinesh Gundurao said the Congress would not subscribe to the culture of money politics.
