Jogi bribe case to be handed over to CBI: Raman

In his first action after assuming the post of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Raman Singh on Sunday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the alleged attempt by his predecessor Ajit Jogi to prevent the formation of a BJP government in the state by offering bribe to newly elected party legislators to defect.

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"The matter has already been registered with the anti-corruption bureau but since it is related to an outgoing chief minister and defection, it will be handed over to CBI," Singh told reporters in his maiden press conference after he was administered the oath of office by Governor K M Seth in Raipur.

The BJP last night alleged that Jogi offered bribe to newly-elected BJP MLAs to defect and form a breakaway group whom the Congress would extend support in the government formation.

At a late night press conference Union Law Minister Arun Jaitley played a tape purportedly containing the conversation between Jogi and BJP state unit vice-president Virender Pandey and Member of Parliament Baliram Kashyap to whom the money was allegedly offered.