BJP show-cause notice to Dagar over alleged poaching video

The Delhi unit of the BJP Monday sought an explanation from party vice president Sher Singh Dagar after he was accused of offering money to an AAP legislator to induce him to quit the assembly to improve the BJP's chances of forming the government in Delhi.

A statement issued by the party Monday evening said: "BJP Delhi president Satish Upadhyay has sought an explanation from party vice president Sher Singh Dagar on the basis of media reports indicating his involvement in talks with an AAP MLA."

"... the BJP does not believe in manipulation or dealings and the party does not approve of such activities in any form," the statement added.

A grainy video shot covertly shows Dagar making the bribe offer to Aam Aadmi Party's Dinesh Mohaniya if he resigned so as to bring down the effective strength of the hung Delhi assembly.

The 70-member Delhi assembly has three vacancies, the elected members having been elected to the Lok Sabha subsequently, and both the BJP and the AAP have 28 members each.

If any AAP member quits the assembly, the effective strength of the house comes down and the BJP gets an edge of one and be able to form the government.

The disclosure triggered an angry rebuttal from Dagar but no senior leader in the BJP came to his defence, with one saying that whatever the man did was in his personal capacity.