Raipur: Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday (Dec 6, 2003) alleged that the outgoing Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi yesterday offered bribe to newly-elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs to defect and form a breakaway group whom the Congress would extend support in Government formation.

At a late night press conference in Raipur, Jaitley, a senior BJP leader, played a tape purportedly containing the conversation between Jogi and a BJP MLA whom the money was alleged to be offered.

Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the entire episode, Jaitley played the tape and displayed currency notes to the tune of Rs 25 lakhs having been allegedly given to BJP MLAs Virendra Pandey and Kashyap.

Jaitley said they had "water-tight" documentary, material and taped evidence against Jogi, his son and Congress MP Kunte for allegedly trying to bribe BJP MLAs to effect a split in BJP's legislature party and prevent formation of a BJP Government in the State.

Jaitley said both Jogi and Kunte were public servants and a case of corruption for defection had been clearly made out by the available evidence.

He said the tape recording was clear and the person trying to offer money to the MLAs was "unabashedly" offering the bribe.

There was also a hand written letter by Jogi, he claimed.

Jaitley said they had handed over a copy of the tape to the Governor.

Since the outgoing Government was still in office till today morning, the party would hand over the original documents, the tape and other evidence to police for investigation after the new dispensation takes over.

Jaitley said this was a clear case of attempt to break a political party and prevent formation of a Government.

He also demanded the arrest of Jogi and Kunte.

Jaitley alleged the entire conspiracy had been hatched at the instance of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

"Her own role is there and her name is being used," he said.

"The conspirator should be arrested," Jaitley demanded.

PTI