Compare Himanta-Sarbanda's assets with mine: Gogoi

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, March 20: With the Opposition charging the Congress government with misrule and corruption, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today hit back asking the people to compare the properties amassed by BJP leaders Sarbada Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma since 2001 and that of his.

"The BJP has been spreading cards about massive corruption and underdevelopment in the State during the Congress government. I just want to ask the people of my State to compare the properties which Himanta Biswa Sarma and Sarba Sonowal have acquired since 2001 with the properties acquired by me during this period," he said.

Gogoi asked if his government had indulged in corruption, why did not Opposition MLAs raise the issue in the assembly or approach agencies like Vigilance & Anti-Corruption and the Lokayukta. "Why were their eyes shut then?" he questioned.

Gogoi said AGP leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta was chargesheeted in the veteriry scam but was "saved" by the then Governor who did not give sanction for CBI prosecution.

"Even Sarbanda Sonowal is an accused in a murder case," he said.

Taking a dig at Sonowal's elevation as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, Gogoi questioned, "If the Union minister is so efficient, why was the Skill Development portfolio stripped off from him?"

Gogoi also alleged that the AGP took money from the Congress in the last Lok Sabha elections and that the regiol party also made similar demands this time.

The Chief Minister denied reports of conflict between him and State Congress president Anjan Dutta, describing these as "media-created."

The Congress will come out with its second list of candidates tomorrow.