Guwahati, April 10: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Kumar Borah launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday, accusing him of selective action and silence over serious corruption allegations involving his own party members.
Speaking at a press conference held at his residence in Ghoramora, Borah questioned the chief minister’s credibility and alleged double standards in tackling corruption.
Borah referenced a televised statement made by businessman Rajesh Bajaj, who accused two BJP MLAs—Biswajit Phukan and former minister Sanjay Kisan—of demanding Rs 2 crore from him, of which he claimed to have paid Rs 88 lakh. Bajaj, himself embroiled in a financial scandal for fraudulently withdrawing over Rs 20 crore from the Assam State Apex Cooperative Bank, alleged that Phukan attempted to take over his tea estate and that the CM has remained conspicuously silent on the matter.
Taking a sharp jab at Sarma’s past remarks, Borah said, “In a meeting with BDOs, you claimed you’d jump like a tiger on anyone taking a bribe of Rs 2,000. Now I ask you, do you stay quiet when the amount is Rs 88 lakh? Is this the kind of tiger you are?”
Borah further questioned the CM’s inaction on other cases, including an audio clip allegedly involving a minister and himself. “An audio clip was circulated against me. I filed an FIR and the police acted. But when clips and allegations surface against your ministers, you go silent. Why the double standard?” he questioned.
In a direct challenge to Sarma, Borah added, “If a clerk or mohori takes a bribe, you jump on them. But when two of your MLAs destroy the Apex Bank, you look the other way. Now the tiger neither roars nor moves.”
Borah also addressed the growing public dissatisfaction, predicting that the people of Assam would respond through the upcoming panchayat elections. “People are watching. You can’t hide behind silence for long,” he said.
The Congress leader also revealed that he has been summoned by Hatigaon police on April 11 in connection with a complaint he filed over audio recordings tied to the alleged syndicate network. He confirmed he would cooperate fully with the investigation.
Highlighting broader concerns, Borah accused the Chief Minister of stifling the police force. “If the police were allowed to work freely, they could dismantle these syndicates in 24 hours. But their hands are tied by political interference,” he alleged.
Touching on internal Congress matters, Borah acknowledged occasional friction between party leaders and workers but called it a sign of a dynamic organization. He said the recent Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Ahmedabad aimed to reinforce the party’s commitment to its constitutional and organizational goals.
