Congress to move HC over alleged misuse of public money by former CM Biplab Kumar Deb

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, May 23, 2022

Alleging of undue privileges after seven days of resignation as chief minister of Tripura received by Biplab Kumar Deb, opposition Congress on Sunday said that they will write a letter to the Chief Secretary for alleged misuse of public money and will also file a PIL in High Court of Tripura.

Addressing a press conference here at Congress Bhavan on Sunday afternoon, former minister and senior Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman accompanied by Pradesh Congress president Birajit Sinha and senior leader Ashish Kumar Saha said that he will file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the High Court of Tripura demanding clarification from the state government on how Deb was still enjoying all the benefits he used to get when he was a chief minister of the state.

Alleging undue privileges offered by the state administration to former chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Barman said that when he was chief minister of state on May 13, 2022 last, the district administration of Gomati and Sepahijala has prepared plans for visit of CM in these districts on May 23 and 24 next. By the time, Deb was forced to resign and new chief minister take oath of office, said Barman and added that based on the ‘crash’ message to district magistrates (DMs) of Gomati and Sepahijala districts by SA of former chief minister Arindam Chowdhury, the tour programmes has been planned for three days from May 23rd to 25 for former chief minister.

But, surprisingly, the present DM of Gomati district Raval H Kumar prepared the programme schedules with all concern departments by the name of incumbent chief minister on May 18 last, after three days of resignation of Biplab Deb as CM, whereas Deb’s SA Arindam Chowdhury prepared and sent the programme schedules to all concern office as former chief minister of Tripura, said Sudip and asked how can a DM prepare plans in the name of Chief Minister for the programmes scheduled for former Chief Minister.

He also alleged that with government money and utilizing all administrative facilities, the district administrations of both districts are organizing programmes for ‘Pristha Pramukh’.

He also asked how it is possible that a section of the administration by name of incumbent Chief Minister is organizing programmes for the former chief minister.

Barman said that some events at Gomati District which were actually planned for CM are now being chaired by ex-CM. When the events were planned; Deb was in the chair of the Chief Minister but how come he can attend the events? ‘The Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and DGP are aware of the developments but still, they are entertaining these violations of the protocol,’ said Barman.

He said that he will write a letter to the Chief Secretary seeking his reply and also file a PIL before the High Court of Tripura over undue privilege by spanning of public money for a MLA, which is not entitled for such privilege .

Terming the entitlements to Deb as unjustifiable privileges, Barman said, the way the new chief minister is maintaining a noticeable silence over the issue, Congress feels the present CM is a puppet into the hands of Deb or Deb is trying to showcase that he is the boss of all.

Sudip also strongly criticized the role of leader of the opposition, Manik Sarkar and said that leaving his personal relationship with Deb, Sarkar should raise his voice for the interest of the state's people.

While, Sudip also said that Minister Ratan Lal Nath’s comments for Biplab Deb and comparing him with Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda or Einstein is insane and ridiculous.

No gentleman with basic knowledge can make such comments and the person who has said this should be treated by a good doctor, said Barman.