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This is an archive article published on March 27, 1998

Charges fly thick and fast against BJP

NEW DELHI, March 26: Allegations of attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party to influence Bahujan Samaj Party MPs for support during voting in...

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NEW DELHI, March 26: Allegations of attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party to influence Bahujan Samaj Party MPs for support during voting in tomorrow’s confidence motion rocked proceedings in the Lok Sabha today after the Speaker rejected a privilege motion against Prime Minister resulting in two adjournments.

The atmosphere was so surcharged in the pre-lunch sitting that allegations flung across in the House after BSP member Arif Mohammed Khan sought to raise a privilege motion against the Prime Minister and three BJP leaders of Uttar Pradesh for "offering bribes and inducements" to win over BSP MPs including Mayawati.

Trouble started immediately after the House assembled for the day when Khan was allowed by the Speaker to make his submission on his privilege notice.

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Khan alleged that Uttar Pradesh Minister Lalji Tandon had telephoned BSP leader Mayawati on March 14 and offered the post of Home Minister in return for her support.

He further alleged that UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh had promised BSPmember Akbar Ahmed "Dumpy" Rs five crore in case he abstained from voting during the motion of confidence and contended that these were criminal offences.

This triggered noisy protests from ruling benches which maintained that the allegations were "mischievous and motivated".

Opposition members including those from Bahujan Samaj Party, Congress and Left parties rushed to the well of the House and demanded that Khan be given more time to make his submission.

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