A delegation of Opposition parties led by JVM supremo Babulal Marandi on Thursday met Governor Droupadi Murmu and apprised her about ‘immoral’ practices having allegedly taken place during the last Rajya Sabha election in the State.
The leaders coming from the JVM, JMM, Congress, RJD and JD-U presented a memorandum to the Governor that, they said, carried ‘substantial proof’ of ‘horse-trading’ meant to purchase votes from the Opposition.
“Arithmetic of the Assembly is quite clear and taking along all the members supporting the ruling BJP the party should have won one seat while the other would have gone to the Opposition candidate. But it is evident that the ruling BJP used money and muscle power to secure even second seat for its candidate. This has become public through a CD and audios,” said Marandi after meeting the Governor.
The leader claimed that Congress MlA from Badkagaon Nirmala Devi through her husband Yogender Sao was pressurised not to vote for the Opposition candidate. The evidences also contained the conversations involving senior officer and ADG (Special branch) Anurag Gupta for intimidating Sao.
“We have presented the proof to the Governor along with the CD which makes things clear.
The conduct of the ADG was contrary to Rule-5 of the Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and he should be dismissed.
The memorandum also mentioned about keeping JMM legislator Chamra linda in police confinement in order to prevent him from voting on the poll day. The delegation alleged the Government for misusing its machinery just for the sake of winning both the seats on offer despite being short in numbers.
"Exchange of money has also taken place and it is a matter of a high-level probe. We demand such a probe either by the CBI or an SIT headed by a retired judge of the High Court. FIR should also be lodged against ADG Anurag Gupta," said Pradeep Yadav of the JVM.
Besides the leaders, RJD's Gautam Sagar Rana and Annapurna Devi, Jaleshwar Mahto of JD-U, Vinod Pandey of JMM, Rajeev Ranjan Prasad of Congress and KD Singh of the CPI were present on the occasion.
The JVM has also decided to take the matter even forward and a similar all party delegation would call upon the Election Commission on Friday in Delhi. The delegation would be represented by Marandi along with Rajya Sabha MPs Harivansh and Sanjeev Kumar, former MP Subodh Kant Sahay and Gautam Sagar Rana.