The National Conference (NC), the Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday demanded action on the bribery charges levelled by local journalists of Leh against BJP leaders to swing votes, as an inquiry had found “ prima facie merit” in the allegations.
After watching a video of the press conference where money was allegedly distributed and taking into account the complaint filed by the journalists, District Election Officer Avny Lavasa had on Tuesday approached the district court and “sought directions for registration of an FIR in the matter”.
Several members of the Press Club Leh (PCL), in a written complaint, had alleged that the organisers of the BJP press conference distributed envelopes with cash in front of BJP State president Ravinder Raina and Vikram Randhawa, MLC, on May 2. “After the press conference, these two leaders tried to bribe media persons by offering money in envelopes in a bid to use our platform to influence the outcome of the elections,” seven PCL journalists wrote in the complaint addressed to the station house officer (SHO).
NC vice-president Omar Abdullah demanded action on the issue. “In the light of the CCTV footage purported to show BJP leaders attempting to bribe journalists in Leh, action must follow,” he said.
PDP leader Ved Mahajan said the BJP was out to destroy democracy’s fourth pillar. “Such actions reflect the party’s mindset towards the vital and important institutions of democracy,” he said.
A Congress spokesman urged the Election Commission to take a strong note of the violation. “ Although the complaints have been forwarded, no action seems to have been taken so far,” the spokesman added.
Baseless: BJP
Mr. Randhawa, the BJP’s Ladakh in-charge, however, denied the allegations. “It is baseless and misleading. It was supported by anti-BJP elements in Kashmir and the Congress to malign the party image,” he said. He said the CCTV grab was of the invitation envelopes being given to reporters for the coverage of Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to Leh on May 4. “This is being shown as if money is being given to them,” he added.
