India's main political parties have suspended six members of parliament over alleged bribe-taking, party officials say. The ruling Congress party suspended one MP, while the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party suspended five.

The six were among several MPs secretly videotaped by an Indian news website, allegedly accepting money for raising questions in parliament. The videotapes were shown on news channels. The MPs have not commented.

Congress party spokesman Ambika Soni told reporters it had suspended one of its MPs who was videotaped allegedly taking a bribe. She said the parliamentarian would be allowed to explain his position. Announcing the suspension of its MPs shown on tape, BJP party chief LK Advani said the allegations were "too serious" to be "glossed over".

'Serious matter'

MPs belonging to some regional parties including Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal were also videotaped allegedly asking for money to raise questions in the parliament.

The speaker of India's lower house of parliament, Somnath Chatterjee, said the tapes were a "serious matter". "I am extremely scared if the allegations are correct. It is a serious matter and I am looking into it with all the seriousness," he was quoted telling a news channel by the Press Trust of India.

Nearly five years ago, an Indian news website taped video footage of senior politicians, bureaucrats and Indian army officers apparently taking money in connection with a defence deal. The scandal forced the resignation of the then BJP president, Bangaru Laxman, and former federal defence minister, George Fernandes.

| BBC |

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed