One arrested for ‘bribing’ Jharkhand BJP leader

    By IANS,

    Ranchi : A man was arrested for allegedly trying to bribe suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Baijnath Ram, police said Tuesday.

    Police said Harshit alias Suman Chaudhary was arrested from the residence of Jharkhand’s former education minister and suspended BJP legislator Baijnath Ram Monday night.

    Baijnath Ram alleged that Chaudhary offered him money to vote in favour of Hemant Soren’s government, which will seek a trust vote in the assembly July 18.

    “The accused is not linked to JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morha). The BJP is hatching a conspiracy against our party,” JMM legislator Haji Hussain Ansari said.

    State BJP leader Saryu Rai Monday alleged that the JMM had kept aside Rs.90 crore for buying votes of legislators for the trust vote. The JMM has denied the allegations.

    Hemant Soren took oath as the chief minister July 13. A special assembly session has been convened July 18 to seek a trust vote.

    The JMM government is supported by the Congress, RJD and independent legislators.