Assam Finance Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma filed 100 crore defamation suit against the Hindi news channel ABP news before the Civil Judge, Senior Division, Kamrup District, Guwahati. ABP news aired a report named ‘Operation Dalal’ in which it alleged that state finance minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma has close relations with Delhi based power broker, Anuj Poddar. They also showed some so-called evidence proving the close ties between Anuj Poddar and Himanta Biswa Sarma. ABP report claimed that during a raid carried out by the Income Tax department at Anuj Poddar’s residence in South Delhi, it found facts of deals in many projects between Assam finance minister and Poddar. ABP report also claimed that in the emails of Anuj Poddar many secrets of Assam government have been found. Anuj Poddar introduces himself as a power broker and maintains good relations with IAS, IPS, and Ministers with the help of liquor, women and many other gifts, using all these means he initiates deals and negotiations for various projects. According to ABP report, Anuj Poddar maintains good relations not just with Himanta Biswa Sarma but also with many chief ministers, ministers and officers of various other states. The report also claimed that the officials has also found confidential papers related to country’s defence and foreign affairs.
ABP’s report created a huge controversy in Assam. Opposition leaders were quick to attack Himanta Biswa Sarma. The leader of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) said, “The allegation of illegal deals between Delhi’s middleman Poddar and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is a matter of serious issue. Everyone in Assam knows that Himanta Biswa Sarma is a corrupt man. He is the most corrupt person in Assam’s politics. Himanta Biswa Sarma is the main man behind mafiarisation of politics”.
Akhil Gogoi raised the demand of CBI investigation. He said, “We have been pointing out the corruptions by Sarma in details with proper proofs since long. But the BJP has covered up his corrupt character by welcoming him in the party”.
Former Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi also targeted Himanta Biswa Sarma and also dared him to file a case against the ABP news. He said, “A high-level inquiry should be initiated against Himanta for his close proximity with a ‘shady person’ like Anuj Poddar”, said Gogoi. “If he has the guts, let him file a case against the news channel. When I had dragged his name into the Louis Berger and Saradha scam cases, then, Himanta had filed two cases against me. Now, I dare him to take on ABP News”.
Himanta Biswa Sarma didn’t disappoint former CM and declared on twitter that he has filed a defamation case of Rs 100 crore against the ABP news. He tweeted, “I am outraged by a @abpnewstv News report linking me to a person whom I have never met or known in my life. @abpnewstv news report has defamed me in public light.I have filed a Rs 100 cr defamation suit against ABP News before the Civil Judge,Sr division,Kamrup District,Guwahati”.
I am outraged by a @abpnewstv News report linking me to a person whom I have never met or known in my life. @abpnewstv news report has defamed me in public light.I have filed a Rs 100 cr defamation suit against ABP News before the Civil Judge,Sr division,Kamrup District,Guwahati
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) June 21, 2018
These corruption allegations are nothing new for Himanta. Earlier when Tarun Gogoi had alleged that Himanta is involved in corruption, he had dragged Tarun Gogoi to the court. Although, the Congress party has several allegations of corruption against their own leaders, but it never drags anyone to the court. But on the other hand, each and every time when any baseless allegation of corruption surfaces against senior BJP leaders, be it Amit Shah or Arun Jaitley, they are quick and confident enough to drag them to the court but most of the time it has been seen that the accusations are fake.