BJP resorting to ‘cash for vote’ tactics, alleges Congress
Our Correspondent
Itanagar: The Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday alleged the ruling BJP for resorting to ‘cash for vote’ in the State which is going to simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls on April 11.
“Never seen in the history of the State that onslaught of money in elections by ruling party are in the headlines as reports of using official vehicles to transport cash to the voters,” Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy said during a press conference at party’s office here. Sanjoy was referring to the seizure of Rs 1.8 crore from the vehicle of a contesting BJP candidate at Pasighat in East Siang district on Tuesday night ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the town to address an election rally on Wednesday.
“Is this the aache din (good days) as claimed by Modi. This is the sign of aache din for Modi and Pema Khandu,” Sanjoy quipped while alleging that the BJP had also purchased some its candidates who withdrew their candidature to pave way for the saffron party to win three seats unopposed.
Sanjoy further alleged that the BJP candidate for Eastern Parliamentary seat Tapir Gao is also resorting to distribution of cash to voters. “If this is the situation in the state, where is the spirit of democracy? The Election Commission of India should immediately act and disqualify such candidates,” he added. Sanjoy also alleged that the ruling party had threatened the officials to vote in favour of the party.
However, neither the Chief Minister nor any party leaders could be contacted to take comments.
Meanwhile, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Kanki Darang while addressing reporters here on Wednesday while quoting East Siang returning officer report, informed that Rs one crore seized from a government vehicle registered in the name of transport deputy secretary, was claimed by Christopher Perme, son of Mebo BJP candidate Dr Dangi Perme.
However, Christopher, in a letter, claimed that “the cash I had earned in January last by selling traditional beads and ornaments as I am constructing RCC houses at Ngopok and Bapkota. Some part was borrowed from my relatives on April 2 last for investing in a contract works undertaken by my friends.”
Darang said that rest Rs 80 lakh crore was seized from a private vehicle of former MLA Ralomg Borang.
However, Borang in a letter claimed that he had borrowed the cash from relatives and partly to buy a piece of land at Mariyang on April 7 next.
Darang added that the IT department has taken over the case to act as per its operating procedures.
Also read: Arunachal news
