Congress on Wednesday accused the BJP of a ‘cash for votes’ scam ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Congress demanded the resignation of chief minister Pema Khandu following the revelation and that the candidature of Mr Tapir Gao, the BJP candidate from West Arunachal ,should be terminated henceforth.
Speaking to mediapersons here , Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that following a midnight raid on the convoy of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy CM Chowna Mein and Arunachal BJP President Tapir Gao on Tuesday late night , cash amounting to Rs 1.8 Crore was found.
He alleged that this clearly exposes the brazen corruption and poll violation, as this happened on the eve of PM Modi’s rally in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh.
‘’A midnight raid on the convoy of BJP’s Arunachal Pradesh, CM Pema Khandu, Deputy CM, Chowna Mein and BJP Arunachal President, Tapir Gao has found Rs 1.8 Crore in stacks of hard cash that exposes the brazen corruption and poll violation, as PM Modi holds a rally in Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh at 10:00 AM today.
Sensational Videos on Social Media have emerged where cash is being counted by police officers in the presence of Election Commission’s Expenditure Officer Samrita Kaur Gill (IRS). Her Observer Code: R-26172. DC Pasighat Smt Kinny Singh (IAS) is being heard in the video that has emerged and stacks of cash are clearly visible along.
The cash was being reportedly transported in certain vehicles parked at the Siang Guest House, Pasighat. Five vehicles were searched in the presence of the complainants who belonged to the Youth Congress. The search resulted in recovery of cash of Rs. 1.80 Crores in denomination of Rs. 500 each,’’Mr Surjewala said.
He accused the BJP of resorting to money power in the North East as they are facing imminent defeat. Surjewala asked whether Rs 1.8 Cr of hard cash was 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? Mr Tapir Gao, has been a habitual offender when it comes to be found with large stash of cash. Before Manipur elections, he was stopped by Income tax department with a large amount of cash in Guwahati airport while he was coming from poll bound Manipur.
Was this cash reportedly transferred for PM Modi’s morning rally in Pasighat today? Is it not a clear cut case of ‘Chowkidar’ becoming ‘Chor’?
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 is a solid ground for termination of candidature?
What is the BJP trying to hush up? ,’Mr Surjewala asked. He demanded that the candidature of Mr Tapir Gao, the BJP candidate from West Arunachal ,should be terminated henceforth.
‘’Chief Minister Pema Khandu should resign following this sensational ‘Cash for Vote’ scandal!,’’he said.
