Congress has said it will file a complaint with the Electoral Commission (EC) over alleged attempts by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to misuse government machinery to manipulate election results after a video showing Madhya Pradesh Minister Imarti Devi, allegedly saying they can win. any seat in the crucial indirect elections later this year just by telling a collector to make sure it has gone viral on social media. The BJP enjoys a minimal majority in the state assembly.
Devi was one of 21 congressional lawmakers whose resignations toppled the government of Prime Minister Kamal Nath in March and paved the way for the BJP’s return to power.
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In the video, she is seen heading to a meeting in a village in her Dabra constituency, where she is to contest the by-elections in November. “U.S [BJP] It only needs eight seats, while Congress needs at least 27 seats. Please tell me if it is possible for the government to keep its eyes closed and win all the seats. The government enjoys such a majority that it can get any seat just by telling a collector that you want this seat, ”he is allegedly heard saying in the 30-second video. HT was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Devi said that his statement was distorted and that he had said that it is the duty of the officials to bring benefits from the government schemes to the people and develop the area. “If the officers work properly, the government will get the benefits of the schemes.”
Congress spokesman JP Dhanopia said they will file a complaint with the EC. “What Minister Imarti Devi said speaks volumes about the ruling party’s design to misuse the machinery of government during the by-elections.”
BJP leader Hitesh Bajpai said Devi has denied making such a statement. “Distorting his statement must be the work of some mischievous elements to smear the government and the ruling party. People know well who these elements are. The way the video has been edited gives strong evidence that there are some people behind it. “
Devi was also a minister in the Kamal Nath government before joining the BJP.
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