Bribery allegations: Cong demands FIR against Guj BJP, probe by Guj HC sitting judge

Reacting to allegations of bribery levelled against the BJP by a close aide of Hardik Patel, who claimed of being offered Rs 1 crore to join the Party, the Congress on Monday demanded filing of an FIR against the Gujarat BJP in the matter and a probe, headed by a sitting judge of the Gujarat High Court, into the matter. Addressing reporters here, AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari said, 'The way BJP is allegedly bribing Patidar leaders in Gujarat is a black spot on Democracy.

These allegations are serious. The Congress demands that an FIR be filed against the Gujarat BJP. Also, we demand an investigation headed by a sitting judge of the Gujarat High court to probe the matter.' He also urged the Election Commission to declare the dates of the Assembly elections in Gujarat soon. 'The Election Commission should announce the election and enforce Model Code of Conduct to stop such incidents,' Mr Tewari said. Narendra Patel, a close aide of Hardik Patel, has alleged that he was offered Rs 1 crore to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a press conference on Sunday in Ahmedabad. Terming the comments by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that if the BJP does not win the elections, funds and sanctions will be stopped as an assault on the federal structure, Mr Tewari said, 'Prime Minister Narendra Modi has insulted 6 crore voters by saying if BJP does not win the elections, funds and sanctions will be stopped.

This is the biggest hit on a federal structure.' Mr Tewari alleged that the BJP was letting no stones unturned to win the elections. “BJP has lost grounds in the state and making all attempts to win the forthcoming elections,” Mr Tewari said. Accusing the BJP of trying to delay Assembly elections in Gujarat, he said, 'BJP is trying to postpone elections for they know they are going to lose it. Today, Gujarat is revolting against the BJP. What kind of governance is this? This is not what the Constitution makers had envisioned.'