Assam CM Himanta Sarma used crores of public money for BJP campaign: RTI reveals

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is facing serious allegations of misusing state government funds amounting to crores of rupees for personal and political activities, including hiring helicopters and chartered planes to campaign on behalf of the BJP, in violation of the Election Commission's model code of conduct, according to a report by The Wire in association with Guwahati-based news website The CrossCurrent.

The Right to Information (RTI) requests, filed in August 2022, highlight that Sarma employed state government funds for chartered planes not only for political activities but also for attending weddings and other private events, raising concerns about the misuse of public resources.

The investigation reveals instances where Sarma reportedly used government-funded helicopters to campaign for BJP allies in by-elections within Assam. On October 17, 2021, he allegedly flew from Guwahati to Tamulpur to support a candidate from the United People’s Party Liberal, a BJP ally.

Similar incidents occurred on October 18 and 19, 2021, as well as on October 30, 2021, during by-elections in various constituencies. Additionally, on February 16, 2022, Sarma was accused of using a government-funded helicopter for BJP-related activities in Majuli.

The misuse of public funds extends beyond the state borders, as Sarma utilized state government-financed chartered flights to campaign for the BJP in Tripura and attend events in Delhi, including the municipal elections.

Furthermore, the RTI replies indicate that the chief minister reportedly used public money to attend five weddings, including high-profile events such as the daughter of Nagaland chief minister Neiphu Rio on November 11, 2022, and Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak’s daughter’s wedding on January 31, 2023.

The data also suggests that Sarma attended party meetings on state-funded special flights, including trips to various locations within Assam and even Hyderabad on January 9, 2022. The revelation raises questions about the appropriateness of using public resources for party-related activities.

A significant discrepancy in the information provided by the General Information Department to the state assembly and the details obtained through RTI replies has been noted. While the government stated that Rs 34,13,42,303 was spent on hiring helicopters and chartered planes for the financial year 2022-23, the RTI data shows a lower figure of Rs 19,74,62,659. This inconsistency raises concerns about transparency and accountability in government spending.

The financial burden on the debt-ridden state of Assam is also highlighted, with the RTI replies indicating that between May 10, 2021, and September 2023, the state exchequer incurred a staggering Rs 45,62,05,755 to meet the expenses of helicopters and chartered flights for top state dignitaries. Sarma, as per the data, took most of these flights, utilizing them for various purposes over 240 days in two years.

This revelation comes at a time when Assam is grappling with severe financial challenges, as highlighted by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data indicating a substantial increase in the state's financial liabilities during the BJP's rule.