Uttarakhand Cong MLA alleges BJP offer of Rs 50 Cr

Even as the Supreme Court is to resume hearing on the Centre's appeal against the Uttarkhand High court order revoking President's rule in the State, the Congress and BJP are exchanging accusations and counter-accusations trying to buy off each other's MLAs. Congress MLA Rajendra Bhandari on Wednesday alleged that he was offered Rs 50 crore to defect from the party. Besides, he was offered a party ticket in the next election, plus a Rajya Sabha seat for his family nominee. The BJP could never buy any of his party MLAs, he thundered. The BJP countered the charge saying the Congress was making wild allegations without proof. Already Chief Minister Harish Rawat was caught trying to woo back his party's nine rebel MLA, who were supporting a BJP government. The Supreme Court bench is expected today to decide whether there should be a floor test in the Uttarakhand assembly on April 29 as ordered by the High Court.