BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, March 15: Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi admitted that horse trading took place in the 2009 Rajya Sabha elections from Assam. Gogoi also said the then State ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Rockybul Hussain were involved in the horse trading to get Congress-backed members elected to the Upper House.
Following questions fielded by mediapersons in a press conference held here on Wednesday, Gogoi made the disclosures about horse trading in the 2009 Rajya Sabha elections, while talking about the political developments in Manipur and Goa where BJP has formed the governments, despite emerging as second largest party in the assembly polls, the results for which were declared last Saturday.
Replying to queries about horse trading in 2009, the former chief minister admitted, “Yes, it happened. But they (read BJP) talk about Bhagavat Gita and corruption-free India… Whatever happened had happened openly in our time. Those who now talk much about upholding high moral principles indulge in such corrupt practices too.”
When asked specifically whether his government indulged in horse trading during the 2009 RS elections, Gogoi said: “By any means whatsoever, we brought people (read MLAs) aboard. I am into politics, and such things have to be done in politics. But it’s not a good thing to do.”
When asked whether Himanta Biswa Sarma could have carried out horse trading without the knowledge of the chief minister, Gogoi admitted: “Of course, I was in the know. Not just Himanta, Rockybul (Hussain) too was involved.”
Pointing his finger at the BJP, Gogoi alleged that the saffron party has formed governments in both Manipur and Goa with the help of black money. “Political corruption is very dangerous for the country. Despite being the second largest party in both Manipur and Goa, how could the BJP form governments in these two states? This is not possible without the knowledge of the party’s Central leadership!” he said, adding, “the main thing is that they are hungry for power.”
On the fatwa issued against teege singer hid Afrin, the former chief minister termed the development “unfortute”. On Silapathar mastermind Subodh Biswas still remaining untraced, Gogoi alleged that the present government in Dispur has helped him flee the State.