Guwahati, June 16: Rajya Sabha MP and opposition leader Ajit Kumar Bhuyan was questioned for over five hours by the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell (SVC) on Monday in connection with alleged misuse of MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development) funds during 2021–22 and 2022–23.
Bhuyan’s interrogation comes months after a February 2023 report flagged large-scale corruption in projects he recommended in Barpeta district. The SVC alleges that Rs 28 lakh sanctioned for three road projects was siphoned off using fake bills — with no roads ever built.
The investigation has already led to the suspension of four senior Assam Civil Service officers in March 2023, including Sukanya Borah, a central figure in the MP Construction Fund Committee. The SVC filed a chargesheet in December 2024 naming three key accused: Borah, Jitu Kalita, and Biswajit Deka.
Despite this, Bhuyan maintained his innocence, arguing that MPs are only empowered to recommend projects under MPLADS, while execution and payments lie with district authorities. “Only the DC knows who was assigned what task. If irregularities occurred, why are they not under scrutiny?” Bhuyan asked outside the SVC office. He also accused the Vigilance Cell of selectively targeting political opponents, calling it the CM’s “personal strike force.”
The MP, who also heads the opposition alliance Asom Sonmilito Morcha (ASOM), said the probe was politically timed to undermine rising opposition unity in Assam. “This is a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices,” he said.
Accompanied by AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Bhuyan arrived at the SVC office at 11:30 AM and faced around 30 questions. Though the authorities did not reveal specific findings, they confirmed his statement was the final one required before submitting the report to court.
Assam Congress president and MP Gaurav Gogoi echoed Bhuyan’s concerns, calling the inquiry “politically motivated.” “If the government is serious about rooting out corruption, why not investigate irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission or PWD?” he asked.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the investigation while maintaining respect for Bhuyan. “The road project he recommended simply doesn’t exist,” Sarma said, adding that many officials involved had already been dismissed and the Vigilance report would soon be sent to the court.
So far, several government employees — including engineers and retired officials — have been arrested or suspended for obstructing the probe. The case marks one of the most high-profile corruption investigations linked to MPLADS in Assam, exposing systemic loopholes and reigniting debate over political accountability versus administrative failure.
