Election Commission orders probe into Awadhesh ​Kushwaha 'sting operation'

New Delhi: Following the dramatic resignation of Bihar cabinet minister Awadhesh Kushwaha over graft charges, the Election Commission on Monday ordered the District Magistrate to probe into the alleged sting tape, which showed the minister accepting bribe.

The shocking move came barely 12 hours before the first phase of polling in Bihar.

Kushwaha, who was the minister for Urban Development and Housing, was caught on video in a sting operation, taking money from a businessman and promising to help him after returning to power.

"Kushwaha has resigned from the cabinet and the chief minister has forwarded his resignation to Raj Bhawan," Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav announced in a press conference late Sunday night.

Kushwaha denied the allegations and said he would file a defamation suit against those who conducted the sting operation.