Tripura minister challenges Congress MLA to prove corruption charges, vows resignation

Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma challenged senior Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman to prove the corruption charges he has leveled against him within two days, stating that he would resign from politics if the allegations against him are proven true. 

Seven-time legislator, Roy Barman stated that he would not change his stand on the issue of corruption against Debbarma. 

During the state assembly, the Congress legislator had recently accused the minister and his family members of acquiring huge properties like a land in Agartala, a petrol pump in Khowai district and a flat in Delhi through corrupt practices. Debbarma however rejected the accusations.

“I am not a beggar. My father was a central government employee and my mother used to work with the state government. I have been a government approved contractor since 1989,” he said in a press conference.

He also threatened to lodge a defamation case against the Congress MLA for bringing “false corruption charges” against him.

Roy Barman welcomed the minister to file the defamation case against him.

“Whatever allegations I have brought against the minister in the Assembly were based on reality. There is no question of changing my stand,” the Congress MLA said.

He claimed that Debbarma has been trying hard to save his ministerial berth following corruption charges.

“I demand immediate sacking of the tribal welfare minister for indulging in corruption,” Roy Barman said.

The minister claimed that the MLA raised baseless allegations against him and his family to tarnish his political career.

“I will quit politics if he could prove the corruption allegations,” Debbarma said.