A CORRESPONDENT
DHEKIAJULI: A fresh political storm brewed in Dhekiajuli, under Dhekiajuli Co-District, after the wife of a high-profile cabinet minister allegedly applied for land regularization under Mission Basundhara, which was previously earmarked for the Dhekiajuli Mahila Samity to establish an old-age home and orphanage. The move has triggered widespread outrage among the public and grassroots party workers alike.
The controversy gained traction during the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council election campaign, where the minister, when confronted by the media over corruption headlines, stated confidently, “I am not a poor man. I was a successful businessman even before becoming an MLA and minister.”If that is the case, critics asked, why did his wife apply for ownership of land valued in crores, land reserved for public welfare projects? Party insiders said that the minister has taken the backlash personally and expressed regret in a meeting with the Dhekiajuli Mahila Samity, claiming the move was an ‘unintentional mistake.’ He reportedly cited undue influence from certain individuals within his circle as the reason behind the misstep. However, this explanation has done little to quell public scepticism. “Why does a cabinet minister place his trust in individuals capable of steering him down such a controversial path?” asked a senior member of the Samity, voicing concerns shared by many. “Leadership demands foresight, not repeated submission to manipulation. His actions reflect a disturbing pattern of poor judgment,” the member added. This incident is not the minister’s first brush with controversy. His previous decision to suspend the respected Principal of Lokanayak Omeo Kumar Das College over a seemingly minor issue also sparked criticism, viewed by many as an act of authoritarian overreach.
Veteran political observers point to a historical pattern where influential leaders such as Late MLAs Joseph Toppo and Habul Chakravarty, as well as the current minister himself, have been surrounded and arguably compromised by self-serving advisors. “If you blindly trust those who whisper in the dark, you won’t just sink, you’ll vanish without a trace, like the Titanic,” remarked Shankar Das, Education Secretary, AASU, Sonitpur District Committee.
While most agree that running a facility like an orphanage or an old-age home requires significant financial backing often necessitating government grants or institutional support, there is growing discomfort over the idea that such a project could be used as a backdoor to transfer land ownership to private hands.
“We categorically oppose any attempt to use personal wealth as justification for private land claims under the guise of philanthropy,” said a representative of the Dhekiajuli Mahila Samity. “Even if a trust is formed, making the minister’s wife its head raises serious ethical and legal questions,” he added.
The committee has made its position clear, declaring that this is not just about land but about principle, transparency, and the sanctity of public welfare. They have chosen to voice their concerns openly, calling on both the public and the political establishment to take notice.“We are not afraid,” a Dhekiajuli Mahila Samity leader said firmly. “Our voices will not be silenced. This is a call for accountability, not just for one leader, but for the values upon which our democracy stands.”As the minister’s reputation hangs in the balance, all eyes are now on the administration’s next move and whether justice will prevail in this deepening political quagmire.
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