Agartala: Sept 14: Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma today refuted corruption allegations leveled against him by MLA Sudip Roy Barman in the assembly. Debbarma claimed that Barman had presented false information and gave him a 48-hour deadline to apologize, threatening legal action otherwise. He further challenged Barman to resign from politics if the allegations were proven true, or else he would resign.
In response, MLA Sudip Roy Barman issued a counter-challenge, stating that Debbarma was merely trying to save his ministerial position and that he would welcome him in court.
At a press conference, Minister Debbarma vehemently denied all allegations and even broke down. He claimed to have been a contractor for 25 years before entering politics and owned substantial property. He also stated that all members of his family were government employees.
Debbarma further asserted that he owned two houses in Agartala before becoming a minister and that his family had owned 200 kanis of land. He accused Barman of providing false information about his assets.
The minister alleged that Barman had insulted the Kokborok language in the assembly and was trying to ruin his political career due to his tribal background. He claimed that Congress had never worked for the development of tribals.
Barman, in his counter-attack, questioned how Debbarma could have accumulated such vast wealth through contracting and challenged him to present evidence. He stated that he was ready to face Debbarma in court.
