BJP rejects 'corruption' charges against Kiren Rijiju, calls it part of Congress' 'spit and run' tactics

Pic courtesy: ANI

New Delhi: The BJP on Wednesday backed Union Minister Kiren Rijiju over allegations levelled against him by the Congress saying that it was a "spit and run" tactics.

Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that Power Ministry had already given a clarification and Congress did not even know that the project was sanctioned when it was in power at the Centre.

"Let them (Opposition) raise the issue. Let there be a discussion. Clarification has already been given by the Power Ministry... The money... The contract was given during the previous Congress government. They do not even know that. Then who are they accusing (I) cannot understand," Naidu told reporters on the sidelines of "Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development" here.

He said Rijiju only "forwarded" the request of "some people who did not get the money" for a hydro project. "How is it a scam? What is the specific role (of Rijiju)... It is a false accusation," he said.

"This is the tactics of the Opposition, especially that of Congress. Spit and run. That is what they are trying to do with Rijiju also. Let the truth come out. Everything will become clear," the Minister said, as per PTI.

Congress had yesterday demanded the sacking of Rijiju alleging his "involvement" in the "Rs 450-crore Arunachal power scam".

On the other hand, MoS Home had slammed the Congress and had asked the grand old party to apologise.

Really cheap! This is the copy of representation I received & forwarding letter to Power Minister. Is it a corruption helping poor Tribals? pic.twitter.com/lwQXthQsNI — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 13, 2016

Now Congress must apologise to the Nation. All Contract works & payments were made during Congress regime. I just forwarded a memorandum. https://t.co/2gOFKQIaju — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 13, 2016

Congress has made a grave mistake by targeting me. They will repent for the lifetime and pay a heavy price for targeting an innocent soul. https://t.co/2gOFKQIaju — Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 13, 2016

The controversy had erupted over news reports that the Chief Vigilance Officer of North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) Satish Verma, an IPS officer of Gujarat cadre who probed the Ishrat Jahan encounter case as part of the Special Investigation Team, had sent a report to the CBI, CVC and the Power Ministry highlighting alleged corruption in construction of two dams as part of the 600 mw Kameng Hydel project.

In his report, Verma was said to have named Rijiju and Goboi Rijiju, who he claimed was the minister's cousin, while alleging an "elaborate conspiracy" involving contractors, NEEPCO officials and the West Kameng district administration to defraud the state-run company and the government of funds that "may extend up to Rs 450 crore".

Rijiju denied that Goboi Rijiju was related to him, saying, "Among tribals in a village, everybody is a cousin. He is not related to me by blood. I have no brothers. Both my elder and younger brothers have expired." 

(With Agency inputs)