New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party MLA Mahendra Goel on Wednesday placed a consignment of cash in the Delhi Assembly and claimed it was a bribe given to him by a private contractor of a government hospital in the city.
Goyal said there was an attempt by “powerful” people to silence him by exposing irregularities in the recruitment of temporary staff at Babasaheb Ambedkar Hospital in Delhi’s Rohini.
They complained that the hospital staff were not paid full salaries even though a tender was issued for their recruitment and the money was collected by those who issued the tender.
Accusing the contractors of extorting money from the employees, he said he had approached Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (LG) office, his chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and the police over the matter.
“They (contractors) told me not to raise my voice and keep the money. I have met LG regarding this matter. I have also written a letter to him. I have also written to the CM and knocked on every door, but there was no inquiry. I am saying this here at the risk of my life because the people involved are very powerful. They can do something with me as well,” Goyal told Delhi House.
“This is the amount they gave me as token money (for doing the deal). I had written to everyone that this is bribe money and I want to catch them red-handed. But there was no inquiry on my complaint. This is money. This is bundled. And I have kept it safe,” he said while displaying the cash.
“I tell the opposition and the ruling party that there should be no politics on this. I am raising the issue of the public. Members of the Legislative Assembly come to the House to raise the voice of the people.”
He also said that he had sought protection from the Delhi Police fearing a threat to his life.
The Delhi Chief Minister’s Office, LG and the Aam Aadmi Party are yet to respond to Goyal’s claims. However, Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel has referred the matter to the petitions committee of the house.
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