#Uttarakhand sting operatio  #CBI summons former CM Harish Rawat

Last month, when Congress government was facing rebellion by its MLAs, Ex CM Harish Rawat, in a sting operation, was allegedly shown offering bribe to them to bring back in the party fold.Later, President’s Rule was imposed in the state. Centre has been citing the sting operation among one of the reasons for sacking the Congress rule government.

#HarishRawat, who had so far been insisting the sting CD of him was “fake”, on Sunday virtually accepted his presence in the video.

He, however, said meeting a journalist was not a crime. “Is meeting a journalist a crime? If one of the MLAs who had not been technically disqualified by that time talked to me . how does it matter? Do we block any channels in politics?” Rawat told reporters here on the sidelines of a programme.

Claiming innocence, Rawat said if the CD contained evidence of him having made an offer in cash or kind in exchange for the support of disgruntled MLAs he was ready to be hanged in public.

“If any evidence is found against me like me offering money or post to anybody, hang me at Clock tower,” he said.

“Why should anyone spend Rs 15 crore for me. The man (journalist) was saying something meaningless to while away my time and I said something to while away his. How does it matter? We keep saying things like this on a daily basis. Does that mean they should be used against us?” former CM Harish Rawat said.

Bureau Report