Independent MP Nagpal to vote with BJP against UPA

New Delhi, July 17 (PTI) In yet another ominous sign of the tough battle ahead for the UPA during the July 22 trust vote, an independent MP from Uttar Pradesh who was supporting the ruling coalition switched over to the opposition camp.Harish Nagpal, independent MP from Amroha, announced his decision to oppose the UPA at a press conference held at BJP headquarters here today. He alleged that the Government had failed to check price rise and was not transparent on the nuclear deal, forcing him to take this decision.Nagpal, however, said he is not joining the BJP.The 44-year old MP had unsuccessfully contested the UP assembly elections in 2007 on a Congress ticket from Ghaziabad constituency.Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu announced Nagpal's decision saying, "he had come to us to convey that he wants to work with the BJP". Nagpal said he had made the decision to vote with the saffron party as he was "satisfied with the style of functioning of the BJP".Naidu said no inducements had been given to Nagpal to vote against UPA. "No assurances were sought, and no assurances were given," he said.While there are reports that MPs are being lured with money power to switch loyalties, BJP said it was not indulging in such activities. Naidu pointed out that Nagpal was one of the richest MPs from the cow belt.Naidu alleged that Congress was indulging in horse-trading to win MPs. "The ruling party is very desperate and is using all sorts of methods. It is indulging in unethical acts," he alleged. PTI