Uttarakhand sting CD controversy: CM Harish Rawat appears before CBI

The video shows Harish Rawat indulging in horse trading a day before President's Rule was imposed in Uttarakhand on March 27.

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in connection with its ongoing probe into an alleged sting video which showed him striking a deal with the rebel Congress MLAs to save his government before the trust vote.

The video shows Rawat indulging in horse trading a day before President's Rule was imposed in Uttarakhand on March 27.

As per reports, the Uttarakhand CM reached the CBI headquarters in Delhi at around 12 noon.

Talking to reporters today, Rawat said, ''I'm going there to appear before CBI to cooperate in its probe.''

As a law abiding citizen I will appear before CBI so that people won't get an impression that I'm trying to avoid the agency, Rawat added.

The BJP had alleged that the sting was proof of unfair means used by the Rawat regime to stay in power.

Rawat has since then maintained his innocence in the matter and termed the entire episode as a conspiracy to tarnish his image.

The Centre revoked President's rule from Uttarakhand on May 11 after Harish Rawat proved his majority on the floor of the House. The Congress won by a margin of 33-28 in the floor test that took place on May 10.

The nine Congress rebels were barred from voting in the 71-member assembly.

With ANI inputs