Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, a viral image depicting Benjamin Basumatary, a member of the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) allied with the BJP in Assam, sleeping on a stack of currency notes has ignited controversy on social media platforms.
Basumatary, who serves as the Village Council Development Committee Chairman (VCDC) in Bhairaguri, Udalguri district, is seen semi-nude amidst stacks of Rs 500 currency notes, with his body covered in them.
The image, which has now gone viral, has left both the UPPL and its ally, the BJP, in a state of embarrassment. The UPPL, led by Pramod Boro in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), had publicly pledged to uphold transparency and eradicate corruption within the government.
However, this recent revelation has sparked outrage among opposition leaders who are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Opposition Leader Debabrata Saikia condemned the incident, describing it as "shocking and disgraceful," and urged the Chief Minister's Office to take immediate action. He emphasized the need for integrity within government agencies and demanded a comprehensive inquiry into Basumatary's alleged involvement in corrupt practices.
The controversy has raised questions about the efficacy of regulatory bodies such as the Election Commission (EC), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax (IT) departments in addressing such instances of corruption, especially during the crucial election period. Prominent journalist Rajdeep Sardesai took to social media to express concerns over the matter, highlighting the importance of EC/ED/IT intervention to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the UPPL and BJP find themselves in a precarious position, facing scrutiny over their commitment to combating corruption within their ranks.