Congress MlA Nirmala Devi once again skipped questioning by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on health grounds while another Congress MlA from Panki Devendra Singh ‘Bittu’ expressed his inability to appear before the two-member panel.
Both the MlAs along with JMM MlA Chamra linda had been summoned by the ECI to register their statements in the controversial CD issue, supposedly carrying evidences related to ‘house trading’ having taken place in the last Rajya Sabha polls. The panel of ECI comprised of Principal Secretary KF Wilfred and Secretary NN Butolia.
“Nirmala Devi was to appear before ECI officials by 3 pm but she failed to do so because suddenly her blood pressure shot up and she has been admitted to RIMS. I have requested them to give her one week time so that she gets some time to recover,” said former MlA and Nirmala Devi’s husband Yogendra Sao. The officials, admitting his request, have asked her to appear before it within a week in New Delhi, he added.
“Since the episode is related to me, I have also been asked to accompany her to New Delhi as my statement will also be recorded after her,” Sao said.
According to Sao, Nirmala Devi’s blood pressure shot up when the Chief Minister was trying to threaten the poor people of Badkagaon in front of her following which she had to skip the meeting and get admitted to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS). He also added that since the matter is sub-judice, second episode of the CD now will be released in the court.
The Panki Congress MlA, on the other hand, was represented by his Personal Secretary Basudev Dubey, where it was said that he received the letter of the Election Commission of India on Tuesday only.
“I have come here to inform the officials that the MlA received the letter today at 3 pm only hence, it will not be possible for him to appear before them in such a short notice as he is in Palamu right now,” said Dubey.
Surprisingly, Chamra linda walked in before the ECI at 11:00 am and put his side in writing. “I have submitted everything in writing before the Election Commission and also replied to whatever questions were asked by them,” said linda.
Nirmala Devi came into limelight after JVM Chief Babulal Marandi, while releasing a CD allegedly containing evidences of ‘horse-trading’ during Rajya Sabha election in the State in July, claimed the involvement of top politicians and government officials. Nirmala Devi’s husband and former MlA Yogender Sao was shown in the CD and also in the conversations apparently discussing ways to make his wife abstain from voting.
later, the JVM took the matter to the ECI seeking further investigation which resulted into the development.
Earlier on Saturday also, the ECI had to defer tour of its officials as Nirmala Devi expressed her inability to appear before it on health grounds. The team, as per the plan, had to reach Ranchi on Saturday but since the MlA expressed her inability to appear before the Commission it had to postpone it till Tuesday. The ECI was informed that it would not be possible for her to appear before the officials as she had received a fracture in her leg which has deteriorated even further.