Party MP’s accusations of corruption against ministers rattle BJP in Assam

The 16-month old BJP-led coalition in Assam headed by Sarbananda Sonowal is under scrutiny following a party legislator’s accusation that several ministers in the state government take bribes in lieu of doling out contracts.

Ram Prasad Sharma, a Lok Sabha member from Tezpur, specifically pointed out Ranjit Dutta as he told local news channel earlier this week that the minister for irrigation and handloom takes 10% commission in all contracts related to his departments.

The statement by Sharma, a noted lawyer, has created a stir in the Bharatiya Janata Party as well as the government, which came to power last year on the plank of rooting out corruption.

Dutta has denied the charge and demanded Sharma to submit proof.

“Such comments from a person like Sharma are unwarranted. If he had any proof of misdeeds, he should have aired them in party platform instead of going to media,” said Bijoya Chakraborty, another BJP MP from Assam.

Following the airing of the news clip on Wednesday, the BJP Assam unit has convened an emergency meeting of state office bearers on Saturday to discuss the issue. Chief minister Sonowal also has asked Sharma to substantiate his claim and assured that no one would be spared if the allegations are found to be true.

This is not the first time, Dutta, a senior BJP leader who represents the Behali constituency in the state assembly, has come under the scanner.

In March this year, the anti-corruption and vigilance wing of Assam police arrested Kujendra Doley, secretary in the irrigation department in his office chamber while accepting a bribe.