Raipur, Oct 21: In a dramatic development, one of the NCP leaders who joined Congress yesterday, today accused Chattisgarh chief Minister Ajit Jogi of having paid Rs five lakh to him and some others for defection to the party. "In the presence of a senior police official, NCP youth general secretary Ravi Sahi and Kathghora block president Hasan Khan, Jogi handed me Rs five lakh for joining the ruling Congress here yesterday evening," Korba NCP president Naushad Khan claimed at a press conference at the NCP headquarters here, displaying the currency bundles of Rs 500, Rs 100 and Rs 50 denominations allegedly given to him.

All the three leaders had joined the congress yesterday in the presence of Jogi, saying that they were feeling frustrated because of which they left NCP and were joining it.

Nausad claimed today, in reply to questions, that his intention was not to register any case against Jogi but to tell the world that NCP workers were not purchaseable. He decided to expose Jogi after accepting the money from his hands, he said.

Jogi was attending a state cabinet meeting and was not immediately available for comment. However, PCC general secretary and chief party spokesman Rajendra Tiwari strongly denied the allegation.


"It is very low level of politics ahead of the assembly polls and we not only deny strongly the allegation, but also condemn it," he told reporters here.
Interestingly, Hasan later addressed a press conference at Congress Bhawan and said Nausad's allegation had no basis.

"It is totally and absolutely wrong. We have joined (Congress) on our own accord and the allegation is only to defame Jogi," Hasan said.
Bureau Report