GUWAHATI: A viral image allegedly depicting a suspended member of the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) sleeping alongside stacks of currency notes has ignited a controversy in Assam, just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
The Bodo People’s Front (BPF), on Wednesday, has vehemently called for a state-level inquiry into the matter, citing concerns over alleged extortion and corruption within the party.
Khampa Borgoyary, Vice President of BPL and candidate for Lok Sabha from Kokrajhar, expressed deep concern over the incident, accusing UPPL members of engaging in extortion under the guise of false promises.
“People in the Bodo Territorial Region (BTR) have long complained about UPPL’s illicit activities,” Borgoyary told the press.
“The photograph depicting a Village Council Development Committee (VCDC) Chairman sleeping on stacks of Rs 500 currency notes in Udalguri BTR is just the tip of the iceberg. We urge the Assam government to intervene and thoroughly investigate this matter,” he added.
Borgoyary further alleged that VCDC members are resorting to extortion due to their lack of salary from the council.
“They deceive the people by claiming credit for providing state government schemes and demand bribes in exchange for facilitating benefits such as the Arunodoi Scheme and ration cards,” he claimed.
The controversy stemmed from a viral image showing a VCDC member of UPPL, identified as Benjamin Basumatary, sleeping on a bed adorned with Rs 500 denomination notes.
However, UPPL, an alliance partner of the BJP in Assam, swiftly distanced itself from Basumatary, clarifying that he had been removed from his VCDC post on February 10.
UPPL chief and Bodoland Territorial Council Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pramod Boro told a national news agency that disciplinary action against Basumatary had been recommended on January 5 and subsequently implemented on January 10.
“Additionally, the BTC Government suspended and removed him from the post of VCDC Chairman on February 10. I urge all media outlets and social media users to refrain from linking Basumatary with UPPL,” Boro wrote in a social media post.
Boro further informed that the decision to suspend Basumatary was made by the Harisingha Block Committee of the party, indicating a stringent stance against any misconduct within UPPL ranks.
