Accusing Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley of playing an active role in attempts to lure Congress MlAs in Uttarakhand, the Pradesh Congress Committee president Kishore Upadhyay averred that Congress MlAs had been offered Rajya Sabha membership and up to `50 crore to join the rebel camp. Upadhyay said this while addressing the media at Congress Bhawan on Tuesday along with party MlAs from Chamoli district- Rajendra Singh Bhandari representing Badrinath constituency and Jeet Ram representing Tharali.
Referring to recent media reports and statements of some Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, Upadhyay alleged that the BJP had opened its money bags to bring down the democratically elected government in Uttarakhand. He alleged that BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya and Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley had played an active role in orchestrating political uncertainty in Uttarakhand. Upadhyay averred that Jaitley had recently visited Uttarakhand to attend a wedding programme and had spent three days in the State.
He referred to media reports about Congress MlAs from Chamoli district considered close to former Congress leader now in the BJP- Satpal Maharaj, joining the turncoats. He said, “Seven of our MlAs have been offered Rajya Sabha seats. We are getting to hear that up to `50 crore and assurance to allot party ticket to wives of MlAs unable the contest the polls are being made to lure our people. MlAs from Chamoli district considered close to Maharaj-Rajendra Bhandari, Jeet Ram and Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri remain loyal to the Congress,” said the PCC chief.
When asked about the absence of Karnprayag MlA Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri at the Press conference, Upadhyay said that he was expected to arrive at any moment with Bhandari adding that Maikhuri had become stuck somewhere en route to the Congress Bhawan.
Addressing the media, the Badrinath MlA said that they were close to Maharaj at a personal level which has not affected their political loyalty. He said, “We are close to Maharaj at personal level but this does not mean that we will betray the Congress. Offers were made to us to entice us into joining the nine rebel MlAs but we are and will remain part of the Congress.
The public will give its response in the elections to the political conspiracy and uncertainty created in the State,” he said, while stressing that he along with Maikhuri and Ram remain loyal to the Congress. When asked to specify the identity of those communicating such offers, Bhandari refused to name anyone stating that the offers were being made through common acquaintances.