Shimla: A significant revelation has emerged in the ongoing probe by the special investigation team (SIT) into the cross-voting by Congress MLA during the election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Himachal Pradesh last year and an alleged attempt to destabilise the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government. BJP MLA hired chopper for rebel Himachal Congress MLAs who cross-voted.
In a news report published in ‘Punjab Kesari’, it was disclosed that a helicopter company director upon questioning claimed that arrangements for transporting MLAs were allegedly facilitated by a BJP MLA from Bilaspur who is seen close to the saffron party’s top leadership.
Piyush Verma, the director of the Gurugram-based chopper company, testified before the SIT in Shimla, revealing that it was the MLA who organised the helicopters used to transport certain MLAs suspected of cross-voting. The SIT has been probing the matter since an FIR was filed on March 10 at Boileauganj police station by Congress MLAs Sanjay Awasthi and Bhuvneshwar Gaud. The complaint alleged a conspiracy to destabilise the state government through inducements.
According to Verma, the choppers arranged by the MLA facilitated travel for several MLAs who allegedly cross-voted, prompting the SIT to expand its investigation. The SIT called Verma to Shimla, where he provided detailed records of helicopter travel for the MLAs in question.
So far, the investigation has interrogated prominent figures, including BJP MLA Ashish Sharma, former MLA Chaitanya Sharma and his father ex-IAS officer Rakesh Sharma, former MLAs Rajinder Rana, Davinder Bhutto and Ravi Thakur. Additionally, Tarun Bhandari, former publicity manager for ex-Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has also been questioned as part of the inquiry.
The SIT’s findings could further intensify the political controversy surrounding the case, shedding light on the alleged involvement of high-profile individuals to influence MLAs for political gain. BJP MLA hired chopper for rebel Himachal Congress MLAs who cross-voted created political heat in Devbhumi.
