Surface of Assam Finance & Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s name in ‘Operation Dalal’ aired by national Hindi news channel, ABP News, has created sensation across the country.
The ABP News has aired a news report on Delhi-based middleman, Anuj Poddar, where the news channel claimed Poddar enjoys a close relationship with Assam’s powerful minister Sarma.
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The report claimed that during a raid, carried out in Anuj Poddar’s New Delhi residence while investigating a case of tax evasion, the Income Tax sleuths allegedly found facts of close relationship between Poddar and Assam minister Sarma.
Facts of deals in various projects and tenders between Poddar and Sarma came to light during the raid. Besides, the report also claimed that in the emails of Anuj Poddar various facts of Assam Government were also detected.
As per the ABP News report, Poddar, who maintains close relationship with a number of leaders, politicians, IAS and IPS officers with the help of liquor, money and women, introduces himself as a ‘power broker’ during the deals for various projects.
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According to the news report, not only Sarma, Anuj Poddar has relationship with Chief Ministers, ministers and officers of several other States of the country.
Moreover, the ABP New report also claimed discovery of various secret information regarding the country’s foreign affairs and defence ministries during the operation carried out in Poddar’s house.
The Income Tax sleuths sealed Poddar’s house in Defence Colony of South Delhi after the raid on May 27 last.
On the other hand, the news of Assam minister Sarma’s close relationship with a middleman like Poddar has created ripples across the State.
Reacting to the news over minister Sarma’s relationship with middleman Poddar, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader 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 has demanded Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the allegations.
While alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has safeguarded Himanta Biswa Sarma, Gogoi said, “We have been pointing out the corruptions by Himanta Biswa Sarma in details with proper proofs since long. But the BJP has covered up his corrupt character by welcoming him in the party.”
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice-president and former minister Pradyut Bordoloi said, “I have received this news, however, I can’t say to what extent it is true. But if the past of Himanta Biswa Sarma is observed then it can be said that his name had surfaced in cases like Luis Berger and Dima Hasao corruption cases. So, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s involvement in this case also cannot be ruled out.”
Bordoloi has also sought proper investigation into the case.
On the other hand, when asked by the ABP News reporter in this regard, Sarma questioned, “Who is this Anuj Poddar?” He also stated, “I have never heard about Anuj Poddar in his life.”
Despite repeated attempts by Northeast Now, Sarma was not available for his comments.
Though the Income Tax Department has reportedly sent the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the national agency is yet to take up the case.