Leh Press Club Accuses BJP of Bribery, Party Denies Claim

BJP state President Ravinder Raina threatened to file a defamation suit if the body did not issue a public apology.

Image used for representational purpose.

(Photo: Reuters)

The Leh Press Club accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to bribe its members by offering “envelops filled with money” for favourable coverage before the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha which were held on Monday, 6 May.

However the BJP has denied the allegations saying they were “politically motivated” and demanded an apology from the club.

BJP state president Ravinder Raina also threatened to file a defamation suit if the body did not issue a public apology.

“The BJP will not tolerate such allegations. It will file a defamation suit in the high court against the press club if it fails to make a public apology.”

Ravinder Raina, BJP state president was quoted as saying by PTI.

Press Club Files Complaint

An enquiry has been ordered into the matter by the district election officer after a complaint was filed by the Press Club, NDTV reported. In its complaint, the journalist body accused the BJP state President Raina and MLC Vikram Randhawa of trying to bribe journalists.

Press Club, Leh, President Morup Stanzin told PTI, “We have lodged our complaint with deputy commissioner, Leh, who is also the returning officer on Friday... After a press conference, Randhawa handed over the envelops filled with money to some journalists who returned these to him immediately.”

Raina refuted the claim, saying he had left the room immediately after the press conference was over on 2 May at around 1:30 pm as he had interviews lined up with media groups.

(With inputs from PTI and NDTV)