Mumbai:
In a shocking development, the Maharashtra Congress on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)of allegedly attempting ‘horse-trading’ of its legislators, 24 hours before the tenure of the state assembly is due to expire on Nov. 9.
“At least half a dozen of our MLAs have received calls from some people claiming to be from the BJP… They are being lured with starting offers of Rs.25 crore each to shift loyalties,” Leader of Opposition in the outgoing assembly, Vijay N. Wadettiwar told IANS.
However, he declined to name the legislators who had got such offers or from whom, though Igatpuri MLA Hiraman B. Khoskar confirmed the development. “Yes, I have been approached by some persons with offers to change my loyalties… However, I told them that I would not betray my party or my voters,” Khoskar briefly commented to media persons.
Alarmed by the poaching possibilities, the state Congress convened an emergency meeting of all its 44 legislators and instructed them to beware of any such tactics that the ruling party may resort to.
“As a further precaution, we have advised them to record all such mega-offer calls or conversations and send them to the leadership… We shall then expose them before the people,” Wadettiwar said. To a question, he said though the party has not yet decided to herd all its legislators at any particular location, by evening a decision may be taken on this.
According to some other office-bearers, the susceptible legislators are likely to be shifted to Jaipur (Rajasthan) or Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) or even Delhi, though the final call is likely to be taken only later today.
The Shiv Sena on Thursday which had bundled all its 56 legislators at Hotel Rangsharda, later shifted them to Hotel Retreat, at Madh Island, Malad West. The Sena has deputed its Vibhag and Shakha Pramukhs to guard the Sena MLAs. Stung by the ‘poaching’ allegations, the BJP on Thursday made it clear that it never indulges in such activities and said it was pained by such statements. IANS
