Case of CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife raised in Assam House, proceedings adjourned several times after uproar by opposition

Instead of subsiding, the uproar over a plot of land being given a central subsidy to a company linked to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife seems to be increasing. Regarding this, the Assam Assembly was adjourned several times on Friday, because the opposition MLAs sought answers from the government on these allegations.

This issue was first raised by Congress MLA Kamalakhya De Purkayastha during the question hour. He had asked Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan whether the land in the Kaliyabor area was allotted under the state's 'Basundhara' scheme.

The Congress MLA also asked what documents were submitted for land allotment. Speaker Biswajit Daimary said the matter was not related to the original question listed by Purkayastha and the Chief Minister was also not present in the House. However, Purkayastha remained adamant on the question, following which abuses started between several ministers and opposition MLAs.

The uproar started increasing, after which the Speaker adjourned the proceedings of the House for 30 minutes. When the House resumed, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia of Congress drew the Chairman's attention to the notice given for discussion on the matter during Zero Hour. Since Deputy Speaker Numal Momin did not allow immediate discussion, the Congress MLA along with the lone CPI(M) MLA and an independent MLA started a sit-in.

According to news agency ANI, Saikia also demanded an investigation into the allegations against the Chief Minister's wife. MLAs of the ruling BJP also arrived and the uproar increased. Since both parties refused to budge from their insistence, the House was adjourned for 5 minutes. When the House resumed after the second adjournment, the uproar continued with opposition MLAs raising slogans against the government.

“You will be allowed (to raise the matter), but you will have to be patient,” Momin said. As soon as BJP MLAs also reached the protest site and the uproar continued, the proceedings of the House were again adjourned for 15 minutes. The issue also created an uproar in the Assembly on Thursday, following which the opposition staged a walkout.

Friday is the last meeting of the autumn session of the Assembly. The chief minister had on Thursday said that if there is any evidence that his wife Riniki Bhuiyan Sarma or her company, Pride East Entertainment, received or claimed any amount from the Centre, he would retire from politics and avoid any punishment. Are ready to accept.

Congress's deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday alleged that the company has received a credit subsidy of Rs 10 crore from the Center under a scheme.