New Delhi, Sep 18: The Congress on Friday came down heavily upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming that in a show of “complete hypocrisy”, Pema Khandu has been allowed to continue as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister despite the Supreme Court ordering a CBI inquiry into contracts worth Rs 1,270 crore awarded by him as PWD minister to his family members.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said Khandu should have immediately resigned or been asked to resign, alleging that this was another example of allowing corruption to flourish and making money.
“But both the CM and his Supreme Leader the PM decided to brazen it out,” he said.
Ramesh said the Supreme Court had ordered a CBI inquiry on April 6 into contracts worth Rs 1,270 crore awarded by Khandu as the Arunachal Pradesh PWD minister to his family members between 2015 and 2025. The Supreme Court directive had come as a surprise to the Modi government, he said.
According to the Congress leader, the Supreme Court summoned top officials of the Arunachal Pradesh government on August 3 because the CBI complained that the state government was not cooperating with the inquiry.
“The CM (who has continued as PWD minister) was denying access to the relevant files. The HM was reportedly taken aback by the CBI’s new-found courage,” Ramesh said.
On August 24, the Supreme Court observed that instead of providing relevant documents, the state had supplied huge chunks of documents to the CBI, he said.
“It is extraordinary and totally unacceptable that the CM continues in office. This shows the complete hypocrisy of the PM.
“Yet another example of ‘khaya hai, khane diya hai aur khilwaya bhi hai’,” the Rajya Sabha MP said, hitting out at the prime minister who has said a number of times in the past regarding checking corruption that “Na khaunga, na khane dunga”.
The next hearing in the case is on September 25, Ramesh said. (PTI)
