New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday demanded removal of Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu for carrying Rs 1.8 crore in cash in a convoy for Prime Minister Modi’s rally at Pasighat in the state. Police seized the cash in a midnight swoop on the convoy on the complaint of the Youth Congress, Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said, asking “is it not a clear cut case of chowkidar becoming a chor?
He also demanded cancellation of the candidature of the BJP’s state president Tapir Gao, who was also in the convoy of five cars, for “brazen corruption and poll violation. Deputy CM Chowna Mein was also in the convoy that was searched by police in the present of the Election Commission’s expenditure officer Samrita Kaur Gill, an IRS officer. Surjewala said the probe is needed to find where did such a large stash of cash come from.
He said Gao is a habitual offender being caught with large amount of cash, pointing out how he was stopped by the income tax department at Guwahati airport with large stash of money while coming from the poll-bound Manipur. Concealing and hoarding cash during the election is a “corrupt practice” and a solid ground for termination of his candidature, the Congress leader said.
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Surjewala showed two videos purportedly showing the cash being recovered in the presence of officials of the Election Commission, the local administration and the police. The party did not vouch for the authenticity of the videos, saying they were available on social media. It also claimed the raid was conducted after Youth Congress workers complained to authorities in Pasighat.
There was no immediate comment available from the BJP or the EC on the recovery of the cash in a midnight operation. Alleging a cash for votes scandal in Arunachal Pradesh, Surjewala said, “Facing imminent defeat, a desperate BJP is esorting to ‘money power’ in the northeast.
“Why is the Election Commission sleeping and not taking action in the matter and not registered a case so far. Why is the case being hushed up?” he asked. “Was Rs 1.8 crore of hard cash being transferred for the rally of PM Modi in Pasighat today, personally in the CM’s convoy and in the safe hands of BJP president. Where did such a large amount come from?” Surjewala asked.
“Isn’t concealing and hoarding cash during an election a ‘corrupt practice’ and a serious violation of law under Section 123(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1951 and Section 171B of the IPC and a solid ground for termination of candidature?” he sought to know. (With agency input)
