Senior leader of the Congress party, Lalji Desai, raised allegations on Tuesday claiming that a staggering ₹21,000 crore of state funds was funneled to top officials of the ruling BJP as commissions for various government initiatives throughout their seven-year tenure in Tripura, a statement that the BJP party has firmly denied.
Desai, who leads Congress’ service organization Sevadal, asserted at a party rally that no governmental work in the state could proceed without a 10 percent cut of the project cost being paid as a commission.
The BJP assumed power in Tripura in March 2018, ending the CPI(M)’s prolonged 25-year rule in the northeastern state.
“Leaders from the ruling party collect 10 percent of each project’s budget as commissions. Considering the BJP’s seven years in power, their officials have misappropriated at least ₹21,000 crore intended for the public,” Desai claimed.
However, Desai did not provide specific instances or evidence to support his claims of the alleged corruption.
The ruling party refuted these accusations, claiming that the government ensures transparency in every project undertaken.
Desai also accused the BJP of leveraging financial resources to secure electoral victories, expressing that the Congress needs to engage in elections with public confidence on its side.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the ‘Vantara’ wildlife conservation, rescue, and rehabilitation center in Gujarat, Desai remarked, “Our Prime Minister finds time to capture moments with lions and tigers in a private zoo, yet he cannot spare a moment to visit Manipur, where there has been unrest for two years,” he stated.
Since May 2023, over 250 individuals have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced due to ethnic tensions in Manipur.
Desai further accused the BJP of attempting to “undermine the Constitution” of India, criticizing the RSS for not upholding Constitutional values.
“For many years, the RSS did not display the national flag. National anthems are absent from their programs. Are these not acts against the nation? In its century-long existence, the RSS has had seven leaders, none of whom are women, Dalits, or tribal people,” alleged the Congress Sevadal leader.
Desai called upon Congress members to advocate for the nation’s interests, reminding them of the sacrifices made by three leaders – Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi – for the unity, sovereignty, and integrity of the country.
Nabendu Bhattacharjee, a spokesperson for the Tripura BJP, dismissed the accusations of corruption made by the Congress Sevadal leader.
“He is spreading misinformation. The people have not forgotten the poor governance during the Congress-TUJS regime from 1988 to 1993,” he mentioned during a press conference.
Bhattacharjee noted that Desai failed to make any specific claims of corruption against the party officials.
“The government maintains transparency at all levels,” he reiterated.
