Tuki must quit on moral ground, demands BJP

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, Aug 23: The BJP in Aruchal Pradesh has asked Chief Minister bam Tuki to step down to pave way for a transparent CBI investigation.

The party while welcoming the Gauhati High Court’s judgment, demanded that the CM resigns on moral ground.

“At this juncture, it would be best that the CM owns up moral responsibility and steps down from his post so that CBI is given free hand to enquire into the case,” said party’s state president Tai Tagak talking to reporters. “Till he resigns, the investigation can never be free and fair”, he said adding that his party is for zero tolerance against corruption.

Leader of opposition Tamiyo Taga called the judgment a step towards bringing an end to corruption.

“Had the PIL continued and not withdrawn by the petitioner, Mr Tuki could never have reached where he is now,” he said. The PIL was withdrawn but then the HC took suo moto cognizance of the case and registered it afresh.

“Because of Congress culture which practice money power, he bought his time and became CM,” he said.

“If he does not step down, we will hit the street for our demand”, he retorted adding that there is enough evidence to indict him in the case.

“In fact, his whole cabinet should resign on moral ground given the verdict,” added party’s Jan Andolon Committee (JAC) Chairman Tame Phassang.

Gauhati High Court on Friday had directed the CBI to register a case and initiate investigation against the alleged transgression of Tuki, awarding contract works to his family members without following the norms and procedure when he was the PWD minister. A division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice (Acting) K. Sreedhar Rao and Justice PK Saikia gave the directives to the CBI.

Allegations include questioble award of contract work worth Rs. 3 crore for construction of low-cost housing for Safai Karmachari, staff quarters for Rs. 52 lakh as well as the contract of house-keeping and catering service of Aruchal House at New Delhi and the construction of boundary wall of a Kendriya Vidyalaya for Rs.13.81 lakh.