Guwahati: Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain of Congress, whose son Tanzil Hussain is contesting from the Samaguri assembly constituency in the forthcoming bypolls, sparked controversy by lamenting that those he provided employment to have betrayed him and are now campaigning for the BJP. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the police to investigate how Rakibul could allocate positions as a minister during the Congress regime.
In a campaign gathering in Samaguri, Rakibul remarked that those who received employment from him have now adorned BJP's cap. "Those whom I provided jobs should fight, but fearing transfer, they are now wearing BJP's cap," Rakibul said in a video broadcast by the media. "If I encounter difficulties after providing jobs, why should I offer employment?" he further questioned.
Rakibul informed the media that he provided approximately a hundred positions in various panchayats to individuals from diverse communities, including ‘Miyas', Assamese Hindus, and tea tribes, and mentioned that he possesses lists of these appointments.
Speaking to journalists during a campaign in Bongaigaon on Wednesday, CM Sarma said, "For a long time, people of Assam suspected that Rakibul Hussain gave appointments to numerous people through backdoors when he was the minister of state for home. There were substantial controversies regarding this at that time. Two days ago, Rakibul Hussain acknowledged that he provided jobs. But how can a minister allocate jobs?" the CM questioned.
Sarma said he was unaware of Rakibul's involvement in employment irregularities. "I have instructed the police to summon Rakibul Hussain after the bypolls and investigate whom he provided jobs and how. We learned about Rakesh Paul allocating jobs, and he was imprisoned. But we were unaware of jobs given by Rakibul Hussain. Since he acknowledged it, the govt will have to investigate the matter," Himanta said.