WhatsApp Clip of Phone Call Lands Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Trouble

Bhopal:  An audio clip of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has gone viral on WhatsApp and has been brought to the Election Commission’s notice as a serious violation ahead of a by-election on Saturday. Mr Chouhan is heard promising in a phone conversation to “take good care” of a BJP leader if he supports the party’s candidate even though he was passed over.

“The ticket is done now…I will take care of you, but just make sure that we win,” says the voice purported to be that of the Chief Minister in the three-minute clip. On the other end is a BJP leader who is apparently disgruntled after being denied a ticket to contest, and is seen as a threat to the campaign.

The three-time chief minister assures: “Bana doonga tumhe (I will make you).” The Congress alleges that a good government position had been promised.

Mr Chouhan seems to tell his party leader that he did deserve to be the candidate, but still asks him to campaign as if it were his own election. “After the election I will make sure you are in a better situation than now. Just don’t spare any effort to win in the next three days,” Mr Chouhan says.

The leader replies: “Don’t worry, we will put all our strength into campaigning. We won’t spare any effort.”

The by-election is taking place tomorrow at Garoth, after the seat fell vacant following the death of a legislator. The local leader, Rajesh Choudhary, was believed to be a shoo-in but another leader was named the by-poll candidate.

The audio clip is believed to be from a phone call between Mr Choudhary and the Chief Minister.

After the recording went viral, the Congress poll candidate complained to the police about a violation of the model code of conduct; Mr Chouhan was accused of offering “bribe” for votes.

“The Election Commission should examine the audio tape. This is BJP’s style of functioning, this is how it cooks votes,” senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said.