In more embarrassment for ruling JD(U), its MLA Satyadev Singh has been caught on camera allegedly taking a Rs two lakh bribe from a businessman, following which the party today said it will probe the matter as it has "zero tolerance" for corruption.
In a video which has gone viral on social media ahead of third phase of Bihar Assembly polls, Singh, the sitting JD(U) MLA from Kurtha, is seen taking an unknown businessman, said to be representing a company, to the terrace of his MLA quarters at Veerchand Patel Path.
The JD(U) MLA is then seen taking wads of currency notes allegedly worth Rs two lakh in denomination of Rs 1,000 for favours to the businessman's company following JD(U)'s victory in the Assembly elections.
Singh, who contested from Kurtha seat in the second phase of polls on a JD(U) ticket, is allegedly heard demanding Rs five lakh for favours to the company if JD(U) came to power.
While the JD(U) MLA was not available for comments, party national spokesperson K C Tyagi said all information on the sting are being collected and will be probed.
Tyagi said the party has zero tolerance on corruption and said the resignation of a minister on similar charges earlier this month is a proof of its stand on corruption.
Additional Chief Electoral Officer R Laxmanan said the District Magistrate, Patna, will inquire into the matter and necessary action will be taken on the basis of the report.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vikash Vaibhav said he has not received any complaint in this regard.
The sting operation comes a day after a video went viral on social networking sites in which Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was seen with a 'tantrik' where the tantrik was heard asking him why he had teamed up with Lalu Prasad.
Earlier, former excise minister Awadhesh Kushwaha was caught on camera allegedly accepting Rs four lakh as bribe from an businessmen from Mumbai for favours in the event of JD(U)'s victory in the Assembly polls.
Kushwaha, an MLA from Pipra constituency in East Champaran district, resigned from the Nitish Kumar government on moral grounds and was replaced by another candidate Krishna Chandra.
