Mumbai, June 05: NCP, the main constituent of the ruling DF in
Maharashtra, today demanded a CID probe into the alleged incident of
some persons attempting to bribe activists of anti-corruption
crusader Anna Hazare.

Referring to media reports about some persons attempting to bribe
activists of anti-corruption organisation headed by Hazare, NCP state
unit spokesman Vasant Chavan told reporters that an attempt is being
made to tarnish the image of the party.

Media reports had said that some supporters of energy minister Dr
Padamsinh Patil on May 31, 2003 met Dagdu Kisan Mapari, an associate
of Hazare, and allegedly offered him bribe to not level corruption
charges against the minister. Patil has already denied involvement of
his supporters in the incident.

Chavan expressed surprise over the incident getting wide publicity in
the media even though no police case has been registered in the
bribery attempt.

Hazare has levelled charges of corruption against NCP ministers--
Patil, Sureshdada Jain, Dr Vijaykumar Gavit and Nawab Malik.

Chavan said the entire controversy in this regard seems to be an
attempt to defame the NCP and advised Hazare to introspect before
making any allegations.