I was offered cash, party ticket: BJD MP

Biju Janata Dal MP from Orissa Archana Nayak on Tuesday claimed she was offered cash and a party ticket by top Congress leaders to vote in favour of the United Progressive Alliance government or abstain in the trust vote in Parliament.

"I was promised that Congress will give everything, including money, if I vote in favour of the UPA government or abstain from voting," Nayak told PTI over phone from Delhi.

Refusing to name the leaders who made the offer, Nayak said, "Top Congress leaders from the Centre and Orissa" did so on Monday evening when she was in the Parliament premises.

"I do not want to reveal the names of the leaders," she said. Some Congress leaders from Orissa had also visited her residence on Monday, she claimed.

Nayak said she was told that Congress would give her ticket either for the next Lok Sabha or state assembly polls.

She was also told that BJD would not give her a chance next time and, therefore, she should accept the offer.

Asked how much money was offered to her, Nayak said, "I did not allow them to quote the price."

Replying to a question, Nayak said she was not aware whether other members of her party were also given similar offers.

All BJD MPs would vote against the government, Nayak said. "We will go by the party decision to oppose the UPA government," she said.