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This is an archive article published on July 22, 2008

Cash for votes? Oppn MPs show wads of currency notes in LS

Some MPs walked to the well of the House, waving wads of cash in their hands to show that there were attempts to bribe them.

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A shocked Lok Sabha witnessed unprecedented drama when a BJP member walked in the middle of the House flashing wads of currency notes which he claimed was given by a Samajwadi Party leader as bribe for absenting himself from the trust vote.

Opening a black leather bag in the midst of the debate on the confidence motion, Ashok Argal, BJP MP from Morena, surrounded by his party colleagues, displayed bundles of currency notes saying Rs one crore was given to him by an SP leader as “advance” for abstaining from today’s trust vote.

As the members raised the issue, the House was surcharged with members from both sides trading charges and crowding in the well. The opposition members shouted “shame, shame” and “chor hai, chor hai” (thieves, thieves) against the government accusing it of indulging in horse trading.

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In the midst of the flutter, Deputy Speaker Charanjit Atwal adjourned proceedings hurriedly. The Speaker entered he chamber later to adjourn again while the Deputy Speaker deferred proceedings for a third time for an hour till 6 PM.

Even after the adjournment, there was palpable tension in the House with members from rival sides shouting at each others.

Besides Argal, two more BJP members — Mahavir Bhagora and Fagan Singh Kulste– alleged that money was offered to them.

Looking at the press gallery, the BJP members alleged that an SP leader promised three of them Rs three crore each, of which Rs one crore was paid in advance.

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