By IANS,
New Delhi : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Prakash Karat Tuesday termed as “shameful” the display in parliament of bundles of money by MPs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who alleged the government’s supporters had attempted to bribe them ahead of a crucial trust vote.
“It is against all parliamentary norms,” Karat told reporters shortly after the Lok Sabha was adjourned following the three BJP MPs – Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora – displaying wads of Rs.1,000 notes in the house.
“What has happened is shameful…we have to save democracy,” said Karat, whose CPI-M and three other Left parties had withdrawn support to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s government, prompting the trust vote.
Karat, however, did not seem surprised at the bribery charge, saying: “Attempts have been made in the past 48 to win over opposition MPs.”
“No, I can’t give any details,” he replied in response to a question as to who he thought the bribe-givers were.
According to BJP leader and Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani, the three MPs had been given Rs.10 million each as an “advance” to abstain from voting on the trust motion. They had promised another Rs.20 million each after the vote.
Advani’s remarks came soon after the Lok Sabha was adjourned at a little after 4 p.m.