“Like father like son.” Such a beautiful quote, right? But have you ever heard “Like minister like bureaucrat?” If you haven’t, we have the right example to rightfully explain the claim. No one but Babul Supriyo ‘helped’ us define this. Well, not directly but the recent development makes us believes so.
FIR on Babul Supriyo’s ex-aide
In what can be seen as an unfortunate development for TMC leader Babul Supriyo, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked Sushanta Mallick, a former staffer of the then Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Notably, the FIR has been filed against Mallick under the charges of corruption.
According to CBI, “The then executives of EPIL conspired and demanded Rs 50 lakh from Ashutosh Bandhopadhayay, for providing favour for the tenders awarded and being awarded by EPIL during the period 2016-2017.”
“Verification has revealed that out of Rs 50 lakh, Rs 40 lakh were to be given to SPS Bakshi, the then CMD, EPIL and Rs 10 lakh were to be given to Harcharan Pal, the then Executive Director (Contracts) and Paritosh Kumar Praveen, the then Manager (Grade II), EPIL. Verification has revealed that SPS Bakshi had got conveyed to Ashutosh Bandhopadhayay through S Tyagi, the then DGM (contractual basis) that out of the bribe amount of Rs 40 lakh, Rs 5 lakh be transferred into the bank account of Sushanta Mallick, staff of the then Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises,” the FIR read.
As per the FIR, “Executives of an Engineering Projects India Limited (EPIL), under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, were involved in corruption along with the then staffer of Babul Supriyo.”
Reportedly, Ashutosh Bandhopadhayay allegedly transferred Rs 5 lakh into the bank account of Sushanta Mallick in December 2016. Interestingly, in 2016, Babul Supriyo was serving as the minister.
Babul attempts to accuse the BJP
However, Babul Supriyo attempted to frame BJP by indirectly alleging that CBI is acting as per the BJP’s order and they have turned CBI into a laughing stock. Supriyo did not refute his association with Mallick and claimed that he was expecting such a move. “The case dates back to 2016-17. They are filing the FIR now. When I left BJP, the leaders said there was no corruption charge against me. They are turning the CBI into a laughing stock.”
Read more: There are many Babul Supriyos in the BJP. Let’s hope they don’t become ministers
The former Union minister Babul Supriyo also alleged that the CBI FIR doesn’t name him but he was being portrayed in a bad light. “Sushantababu was my confidential assistant. He had also worked with senior leaders like Priya Ranjan Das Munshi and Nitish. A BJP MLA is desperately lobbying to implicate me in some sort of a case. The CBI FIR didn’t surprise me. But I am not aware of the financial transactions. Let them investigate,” he said.
It is pertinent to note that Babul Supriyo was the Heavy Industries Minister from July 2016 to May 2019.
Babul jumped ships to TMC from BJP
By making Babul Supriyo a minister, the BJP had hoped that it would take advantage of his popular face in the party, but Babul was an utter failure. Supriyo could not contribute or complete a task he was entrusted with in the last seven years. Instead, he always got involved in controversies further damaging the party’s image, as a result of which PM Modi showed him the door. Afterwards, he joined the TMC.
Read more: Babul Supriyo cries online like a corporate coolie who was denied an appraisal
After the Narendra Modi government came to the fore in 2014, many leaders used the party to wash off their political sins. These opportunists are loyal to the party only to the extent till their demands are being met. The moment they sense a better opportunity, they have no qualms about leaving the party.
That’s the thing. This is Babul Supriyo for you. What can you expect from an associate of such a political leader who thinks that he is above his party?