Police in India have arrested a federal lawmaker for allegedly bribing other lawmakers during a crucial confidence vote three years ago.

Amar Singh was arrested Tuesday after being accused of bribing three members of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party.

At the time of the 2008 confidence vote, Singh was a member of the Socialist Party, an ally of the Congress Party-led government.

The vote, which the government narrowly survived, was sparked by opposition to a nuclear deal with the United States.

Two of the former BJP lawmakers allegedly bribed by Singh have also been arrested.