U'khand Speaker orders probe into sting operation

The first day of Uttarakhand Assembly's Winter Session today witnessed ruckus by opposition BJP over a sting operation that reportedly shows a member of the ruling alliance claiming that "he can topple" the government, following which Speaker ordered a probe.
When the proceedings began in the morning, the BJP members led by leader of opposition Ajay Bhatt stormed into the well of the House to seek a discussion from Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal under the rule 310 (adjournment motion) over the issue involving BSP MLA Sarwat Karim Ansari.
The Speaker first denied the permission, but after several adjournments he allowed it.

Bhatt said it is very sad that in a sting operation shown by a local channel, an MLA of the ruling coalition has been shown making claims of toppling the government and names of four Cabinet ministers have also cropped up in the conversation.
He said the matter should be probed by a committee of the Assembly or any other agency.
Bhatt said the MLA should himself resign from the post that he holds and if he does not do so, his Assembly membership should be canceled.

Meanwhile, BSP MLA, Sarwat Karim Ansari, termed the allegations as "baseless" and a "political conspiracy" against him.

He also negated the sting operation in which he is reportedly shown claiming that if he gets Rs 50 crore, he would "topple the government"
"I have not made any such claims as shown in the sting operation," he said.
The MLA from Manglaur city of Haridwar district, who is also the Chairman of the Uttarakhand Housing and Development Board, said that the sting operation appeared to be quite old and had the mention of the month of Ramadan.
He said he was ready to face any probe, including a CBI investigation and added that action should be taken against him if he is found guilty.

Later, Speaker Kunjwal said since the matter is associated with a member of the Assembly, it is a serious and sensitive issue.
An electronic channel has made certain allegations against a member of the House. The House feels that the matter should be probed so that the truth comes out, the Speaker said.
"I propose that the incident be probed by the the Legislative Assembly. The probe should be completed fast and a report should be presented before the House," he said.