Patna,(BiharTimes): The Congress MLA from Narkatiaganj, Vinay Verma, on Tuesday strongly denied that he had ever boasted that he could get liquor for his guests. He alleged that he had been set up.

"I am a responsible citizen and a teetotaller. I was repeatedly telephoned and called to hotel Chanakya in Patna on Monday (April 25) by some journalists who said they wanted to seek information on the Champaran Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi. They started asking me about liquor at which I lost my cool. They put words in my mouth. I fully support prohibition and I have not done anything wrong," the MLA was quoted as saying.

Reports said that Verma arrived at Narkatiaganj police station Tuesday to submit a petition against the journalists who had carried out the sting, but left in a huff after an altercation with the excise superintendent. He is traceless since then.

The Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) has issued a showcause notice to him and sought a reply within a week.

According to BPCC chief Ashok Choudhary, who is also state’s education minister, clarification has been sought from the MLA over all the issues that have come to the fore in the media. His reply will be sent to the party high command.

Choudhary said the raids and FIRs show the government wants to send a strong message that it would not spare its own people if they violate the law.

On the other hand senior Congress leader, Sadanand Singh, sees a conspiracy to defame the party through this sting operation. He said why was FIRs lodged without verifying the video.