I have evidence to prove that some ministers in Assam receive kickbacks: LS MP, R.P Sharma

GUWAHATI: Assam’s ruling BJP has called a meeting on Saturday to discuss allegations of corruption levelled against some of its ministers in the state by RP Sharma, the party’s Lok Sabha member from Tezpur.

In a sting operation done by a local television channel, the MP was seen accusing Assam irrigation minister Ranjit Dutta of taking bribes for allocating department works. He also levelled corruption charges against some other ministers. Dutta had denied the allegations.

Talking to ET, Sharma said he raised the issue to make the party stronger.

“Several ministers are taking a 10% commission for various work. Taking kickbacks is denting the image of the party. I stand by what I said,” he said. “I am not aware about the emergency meeting on Saturday. I have evidence to prove the allegations.”

The leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah has shown zero tolerance to corruption, he said. “Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal is a clean man. I have faith in them. Nobody has the right to dent the image of the party which party workers have painstakingly built over several years.”

Sharma said he wanted the chief minister to probe the allegations.

Meanwhile, BJP’s allies, Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) and Asom Gana Parishad, have taken strong exception to Sharma’s remarks and have approached the party leadership.

“No major work is allotted by my department in the last one years, so the there is no question of kickbacks or commission,” said BPF leader and minister for public health and engineering Rihon Daimary.