Jharkhand CM influenced Rajya Sabha polls: Babulal Marandi (Lead, correcting third paragraph)

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi on Friday alleged that Chief Minister Raghubar Das had influenced the recent Rajya Sabha polls in the state.

Marandi, who is also President of the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik, said the Chief Minister had spoken with Congress leader, Yogendra Sao, to influence the Rajya Sabha biennial election which was held in June.

Marandi further alleged that a senior IPS officer had spoken with Sao, whose wife Nirmala Devi is a Congress legislator.

He provided video footage and audio clippings to buttress his claim.

In the video one could see the Chief Minister though it was not clear what he was saying. The audio clippings were that of the IPS officer who spoke with Sao 26 times over phone ahead of the Rajya Sabha election.

Another close aide of the Chief Minister also spoke with Sao over phone.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has won both the seats in the Rajya Sabha polls from Jharkhand.

Marandi alleged that the Chief Minister was involved in horse-trading to win the seats for the BJP.

"The Chief Minister should resign on moral grounds," Marandi demanded.

The BJP had fielded Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and businessman Mahesh Poddar, while the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha had put up Basant Soren, son of party chief Shibu Soren.

JMM lost the poll even though the numbers were in its favour.

--IANS

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