Ram Prasad Sarmah made his allegation is an interview aired by a local news channel
Highlights
- Long-time MP from BJP says ministers in Assam take bribes
- Irrigation Minister demands 10% commission, he says on TV
- Minister denies wrongdoing, party to meet on Saturday
The BJP in Assam is holding an emergency meeting on Saturday to discuss the claim aired by a party MP of ministers demanding kickbacks for contracts.
The MP in question, Ram Prasad Sarmah, a BJP veteran, made his allegation is an interview aired by a local news channel two days ago. NDTV was not able to reach him for comment today. Some local media reports quote him as saying that his comments were distorted.
In the interview, he is heard saying that while a range of ministers take commissions, Ranjit Dutta, who handles Irrigation, demands a fixed 10% "commission." Mr Dutta has said the charges are incorrect. Earlier this year, a top bureaucrat in his ministry was arrested while accepting a bribe in his office.
The BJP was elected to power in Assam last year, ending 15 uninterrupted years of governance by the Congress. The Chief Minister has asked for proof of the claims of corruption within his government and on Saturday, the MP who has triggered the controversy will be present at the BJP discussion.
The Irrigation Minister told the
Indian Express that the MP has a record of making wild and baseless allegations including against the Chief Minister.