Demand for bringing Tarun Gogoi under the ambit of CBI probe grows louder

GUWAHATI: Clamor for bringing Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi under the ambit of CBI probe is growing louder in Assam. CBI has raided house of some politicians and cops in connection with the multi Crore Shardha scam.

Former minister and leader of dissident camp in Congress, Himanta Biswa Sarma who’s houses was raided by CBI last week said, "CBI must also inquire as who allowed Shardha to operate here, which department provided him security."

Gogoi holds both home and finance portfolio. Sarma who was once a trusted lieutenant of Gogoi however raise banner of revolt against him and resigned from Gogoi’s cabinet in July last.

Sarma inaugurated a biscuit factory of the Shardha Group in Assam’s Dhubri in past.

Sarma clarified,"being a minister we inaugurate thousands of programme, I checked with the then Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of police of the district and they did not say anything adverse against the company. So I went ahead to inaugurate the project. However who gave them land, electricity and other facilities there, industry department gave them permission to operate," he argued.

Sarma however claimed that he is clean and nothing to do with the chit fund scam. "I welcome the investigation very sincerely. I am ready to be questioned by CBI so that I can provide more insight into the investigation. I was out of Guwahati for about a week for personal reasons. The CBI team did not find anything questionable during their searches at my two residences," Sarma said.

Opposition parties including BJP and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) demanded that CBI must probe the role of Gogoi as he has been holding Home and finance department for last several years.

Gogoi said he will move court against peasant organization, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) for dragging his name in the chit fund scam.

Gogoi dared the AGP and BJP to come out with proof of his involvement in the chit-fund scam in the State. "AGP and BJP must come out into the open with evidence of his involvement in the chit-fund scam. BJP is at the helm of affairs at the Centre. If they have anything substantial evidence against me, why they do not come out in open."