BJP trying to lure MP Cong MLAs by offering Rs 25-35 crore: Digvijaya Singh

Shivraj Singh called Digvijaya a habitual liar who wants to create sensationalism

23-Digvijaya-Singh Digvijaya Singh

Rajya Sabha member and former chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh caused a flutter in political circles on Monday, alleging that the BJP, led by ex-CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and ex-minister Narottam Mishra were trying to lure Congress MLAs in the state by offering as much as Rs 25-35 crores.

Addressing media in New Delhi, Digvijaya Singh said that the BJP leaders including Chouhan and Mishra, who looted Madhya Pradesh for 15 years, were not willing to sit in the opposition and therefore trying to destabilize the Congress government in the state. 

He said that phone calls were being made to Congress MLAs with an offer of Rs 25-35 crore to switch camps. “I am speaking with evidence. They are offering Rs 5 crore immediately and other instalments after the Rajya Sabha polls and if the Congress government falls,” Singh alleged.

“But I want to warn the BJP that this is not Karnataka and our MLAs are not saleable,” he added.

Responding, ex-CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan hit back at Digivijaya Singh, calling him a habitual liar. “Lying to create sensationalism is Digvijaya Singh’s old habit. Maybe he wants to blackmail the chief minister (Kamal Nath), show his importance. Maybe some of his (Singh’s) work was not done and he wants to create pressure on the CM by saying any such thing. It is his old habit and I have nothing more to add,” Chouhan told the local media in Bhopal.

Digvijaya Singh’s allegations become important on the backdrop that three Rajya Sabha seats would be up for polls later this month. One each seat is sure for the Congress and BJP, given the seat calculations in the MP Assembly. However, there might be a fight for the third seat as Congress will require the support of independents and BSP and SP MLAs to get this seat.

Congress walks a tightrope in the MP Assembly with 114 members in the 228 (two seats are currently vacant due to death of members) member house. Therefore talks of attempted horse-trading and destabilization of the government keep making rounds. Last year too, there had been allegations that the BJP was trying to win over Congress and independent MLAs with the lure of money. But later, two BJP members cross-voted for Congress government for a bill during the monsoon session, turning the tide. 

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