Gogoi, APCC dare Sonowal on Louis Berger kickback row

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, August 19: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi dares Union Minister Sarbanda Sonowal to find out from the Union Home Ministry as to who received kickbacks from the Louis Berger Company, a statement said.

In response to a reported news item, where Union Minister Sarbanda Sonowal alleged Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s involvement in the Louis Berger kickback episode, Gogoi said that he is open to any inquiry. He further said, “I will resign if my involvement is proved right, and Sonowal should resign if his allegations are proved baseless”.

Meanwhile, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice president Ripun Bora criticized Sonowal and told him to ask the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister if Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is involved in the Louis Berger episode. “Only the Prime Minister and the Home Minister can bring the real information on the kickbacks from the US. Sonowal should speak the fact only after getting replies from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” Bora said, and added: “The Chief Minister has already made it known that he will quit politics if his involvement in the kickbacks is proved. Sonowal should also take the challenge and quit politics if he cannot prove the Chief Minister’s involvement in the kickbacks.”