NEW DELHI — The Congress on Wednesday levelled serious allegations of corruption against the AINRC-BJP government in Puducherry and demanded a judicial probe. The party also accused a BJP legislator of illegally acquiring prime temple land and said it would soon submit a detailed memorandum to the President of India outlining the corruption in the Union Territory.
At a press conference held at the AICC headquarters, senior Puducherry Congress leaders — including MP and PCC President V. Vaithilingam, CLP Leader M. Vaithianathan, and former Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy — alleged that the BJP had rewarded an MLA with a ministerial post despite his involvement in a land grab case.
They claimed that BJP MLA John Kumar and his son, fellow MLA Vivilian Richards, had illegally acquired prime temple property. “A party that claims to uphold Hindutva and protect Hindu interests is instead rewarding those accused of grabbing temple land,” the leaders said.
The Congress leaders further alleged that corruption under the AINRC-BJP regime had become widespread. They said a Deputy Collector, in collusion with revenue officials and with the backing of BJP leaders, had encroached on land belonging to another temple. While action had been taken against the Deputy Collector and some officials, the senior leaders who allegedly protected them had gone unpunished, they claimed.
They also accused BJP minister A. Namassivayam of amassing disproportionate assets, saying he had purchased vast properties in his wife’s name despite neither of them having any known business or significant source of income.
Citing further irregularities, the Congress leaders alleged that licences for IMFL (Indian Made Foreign Liquor) manufacturing units were issued in exchange for bribes. They referred to a statement made by a BJP MLA in the Puducherry Assembly, claiming that Rs 12 crore was paid for the approval of a single licence.
Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy was also accused of building a luxury resort worth Rs 20 crore under the name of a trust. “The Chief Minister has no known business or major source of income. Where did the money come from?” the leaders asked.
The Congress delegation said it had already met the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry and submitted a memorandum demanding a CBI inquiry, but no action had been taken so far.
They reiterated their demand for a judicial probe into all instances of corruption and land grabbing involving AINRC-BJP leaders, including the Chief Minister and his ministers.
Earlier in the day, the Congress leaders met Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and apprised him of the alleged large-scale corruption in the Union Territory.
