Congress made 'grave mistake' by targeting an innocent soul, will repent for lifetime, says Rijiju

Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, who is at the centre of a controversy for having sought release of payments for contractors named in a vigilance probe, said on Thursday that the Congress Party has made a grave mistake by raising their finger against him, and therefore, they will have to pay the price for their lifetime.

Talking to the media, Rijiju said if he has committed something wrong, then the Congress has no morale right to even exist even as a political party.

"If I have committed something wrong then the Congress has no morale right to even exist even as a political party because as a people representative we normally recommend the people's need, we recommend people's request. That is our job. If I don't recommend and I don't have the local people then what am I for? I am the Member of Parliament for my people," he said.

Requesting for a thorough probe into the matter, he said, "I have written to only one recommendation letter. There are thousands of recommendation letter written by the Congress MLAs, Congress Chief Ministers, Congress MPs. It all should come out. So, if there is a thorough inquiry then the Congress will think again to raise this issue."

"I have very clearly said that the Congress Party has made a grave mistake by raising their finger against me, they will pay the price for their lifetime, I'm telling you," he added.

Rijiju had earlier said "Congress people should apologise for this. The scam - awarding of contract and payments - all happened during the Congress' reign, and thus, the Congress should apologise to the nation".

"The scam happened during the Congress reign, it has not happened during our regime. After 2014 had there been awarding of any contract or was there any payment? Hence, all evidences are during the Congress' time, so, they must apologise," he said.

Rijiju brushed aside all allegations of corruption levelled against him and his distant cousin, saying that the ones planting such news would be beaten up with shoes if they come to Arunachal.

He pushed aside all blame calling it "shameful" and asked if helping one's own people can be termed as 'corruption'.

Rijiju, his distant cousin, a contractor in Arunachal Pradesh, Goboi Rijiju, and several other officials of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) have been alleged of corruption in the construction of two dams for one of the biggest hydro-electric projects in Arunachal Pradesh.

Their names, including the names of Chairman and Managing Editor of NEEPCO, have been mentioned in a 129-page report submitted by the Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) Chief Vigilance Officer.