New ‘bribery’ video stings Congress ahead of Uttarakhand floor test

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) Two days ahead of the floor test in the Uttarakhand assembly, a video of a new sting operation allegedly showing a Congress legislator talking of bribe to at least a dozen party MLAs to keep them on ousted chief minister Harish Rawat's side has surfaced.

The sting allegedly shows Congress MLA Madan Singh admitting to payment of Rs.25 lakh each to 12 legislators.

It has been done by a news channel that earlier released a video clip allegedly showing Rawat indulging in horse-trading.

Taking potshots at Rawat, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday said he was power hungry and could go to any extent to remain in power.

"Bribes are being given to MLAs to win their support in Uttarakhand. I call it a 'danavi khel' (diabolical game). This brokering of 'dev bhoomi' (gods' land) should be stopped immediately," BJP MP and former Uttarakhand chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari said here.

The Harish Rawat government was dismissed by the Centre under Article 356 of the constitution on March 27 after nine Congress MLAs, led by former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna, revolted against Rawat.

The Supreme Court has fixed May 10 for Rawat to prove his majority in the assembly.