Nitish ‘suspends’ Cabinet Minister Awadhesh Kushwaha over graft

The JD(U) has announced it would replace Kushwaha at Pipra Assembly seat in east Champaran in the wake of the sting.

In the video, Kushwaha is seen taking the bribe by promising contracts in the next government if the JD-U comes to power.

The video clipping shows Das allegedly accepting an “advance” of Rs 2 lakh, while Nitesh allegedly takes Rs 1 lakh and says, “Bahut abhaav mein chal rahe hain…Garib candidate hai (He, Verma, is facing financial problems… he is a poor candidate)”.

Though the identity of the person giving the bribe is not clear, he is rumoured to be a businessman.

Kushwaha termed it as “a high-level” conspiracy hatched by his rivals and expressed hope that he would come clean.

Following the dramatic resignation of Bihar cabinet minister Awadhesh Kushwaha over graft charges, the Election Commission on Monday ordered the District Magistrate to probe into the alleged sting tape, which showed the minister accepting bribe.

Bihar goes to polls in a five phases from October 12 to November 5. “The BJP and he can not digest the crowd thronging to my rallies and meetings”, Mr Kushwaha had told NDTV just a few hours before he resigned.

Yadav also confirmed that Kushwaha’s resignation has been received and forwarded to the Governor for acceptance. “We later spoke to Awadhesh Kushwaha who tendered his resignation”, Yadav said.