SHILLONG, APR 5: The opposition Congress on Friday threatened to lodge a complaint against the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) over cash seizure in Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing media persons, Vice President of the Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) Banphiralang Basaiawmoit alleged that the seizure of over Rs 1 crore from a vehicle belonging to Harshavardhan Singh, who is the executive director of Badri Rai company, which was following the convoy of the Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma at Longding in poll-bound Arunachal Pradesh only highlights the amount of corruption by the ruling NPP.
The NPP-led MDA government had allotted works to Badri Rai company for construction of the Assembly’s dome and PA Sangma stadium at Tura, the projects of which have faced similar fate and this collapsed.
“We are in the process of filing a complaint with the Election Commission of India in regard to the matter, which happened yesterday. We are sending a message that the Congress will stand for the Constitution and democratic set up of the country,” he said.
Asked, Basaiawmoit alleged that the money seized from the vehicle following CM’s convoy belongs to the state of Meghalaya.
“People should know that the money that was seized in Arunachal Pradesh belongs to the state of Meghalaya. Whether authorities act on it or not it is a different thing but the real result will be a slap on their face as people of Meghalaya will give them a befitting reply this time,” he said.
Stating that Rs 50,000 is not a small amount, Basaiawmoit said, “The ECI had already stated that you cannot carry cash more than Rs 50,000 but the NPP though they have disowned this they should take responsibility that how can they allow a car which is not their convoy follow them and pass at the check point.”
“Whatever they say the prize of corruption is this that the money will be used or is being utilized for election purpose which is totally against the constitution of India as they are using power to gain votes
“This is a big concern for the state and the country and also shakes the pillar of the foundation of our country. Right now, the country and our state are grumbling everyday because people are flexing their muscles in whatever area they are in,” the youth Congress leader said.
He said the party is also appealing to the state authorities not to brush this under the carpet.
Meanwhile, the NPP on Friday distanced itself from cash seizure in Arunachal Pradesh on April 4 from the vehicle following the convoy of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma who was going to address a public rally for NPP candidate in Longding.
In a statement, the NPP spokesperson HM Shangpliang said, ‘On April 4, 2024, our National President, Shri. Conrad K. Sangma, visited Longding, Arunachal Pradesh, to campaign for our party candidates.During this visit, an incident allegedly involving a vehicle trailing our party president’s convoy has come to light, implicating our party in the recovery of cash.”
The NPP also mentioned that the vehicle in question was not a part of Sangma’s convoy.
“during the checking of vehicles at Kanubari check gate by the FST, SST and police, our party vehicles were thoroughly checked including that of our National President National General Secretary and the team accompanying our president. The police vehicles were also thoroughly checked and nothing was found,” the NPP spokesperson said.
“We were not aware of the incident involving the aforementioned vehicle until it was reported in the media. Our party was blindsided by the news, and any attempt to link this incident with our National President is baseless and without merit,” he added.