Arunachal power scam: Congress demands Rijiju's resignation

Following a 129-page report submitted by the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), Satish Verma, with regard to Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju alleged act of corruption in the construction of two dams for the 600 megawatt Kameng Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, the opposition Congress party, using an audio tape featuring a conversation between Rijiju and his alleged cousin brother Goboi, has demanded his resignation.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala played the audio tape and maintained that Goboi, a contractorin Arunachal Pradesh, was involved in a scam and had the backing of the minister.

"There are serious facts available in public domain. Based on a the reports of chief vigilance officer of NEEPCO which indicates a scam of 450 crore rupees. It needs to be thoroughly investigated," he said.

"The minister has no right to remain on his post. He must tender his resignation till the probe ends as several facts on hydro power project have been forged," he added claiming the proof of graft against Rijiju.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Surjewala said that prior to the elections, the Prime Minister had claimed that he would neither indulge in corruption nor let others do so.

"An unprecedented case of corruption in a project being executed by NEEPCO has come to light. The Prime Minister in a run-up to the election used to say 'na main khaunga, na khane dunga'... it is now coming to a new slogan i.e. 'Khao piyo, aish Karo' ," he added.

Rijiju has brushed aside this charge, saying those planting such news would be thrashed with shoes if they turn up in Arunachal.

He said that the Congress party should apologise to the nation and o him for levelling such a charge.

He asked if helping one's own people can be termed as 'corruption'.

"This news is nothing but a mischief. I did write a letter, but there's nothing suspicious about it," he added.