Agartala, October 6: Just hours after Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman leveled serious corruption allegations against Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha during a press conference on Sunday, cabinet spokesman and Minister Sushanta Chowdhury refuted the claims, dismissing them as baseless and politically motivated.
Earlier in the day, Roy Barman had accused the BJP-led government of transferring land belonging to the Animal Resources Development Department (ARDD) to a “handpicked” private hospital, Shija Hospitals of Imphal, without any tender process or cabinet approval.
He claimed that the land, a 28-acre plot located in RK Nagar on the outskirts of Agartala, had been allocated through questionable means for personal financial benefit.
However, addressing the media at the Secretariat, Chowdhury categorically denied the charges. “As of today, there has been no formal allotment of land to Shija Hospitals or any other private entity. The decision, if it proceeds, will follow a thorough internal process and then be presented to the cabinet for approval,” he clarified.
Chowdhury further explained that the state government has a 2022 legislation in place, allowing for the leasing of land to various organizations, especially those in priority sectors such as education, healthcare etc.
“The government has been actively working to improve healthcare infrastructure and attract investment to provide better services to the people of Tripura,” he added.
The minister criticized Roy Barman’s allegations as “premature” and accused him of attempting to malign the government’s image.
“The Congress MLA is acting in haste, making baseless accusations to politically target the Chief Minister. His statements are nothing more than an attempt to mislead the public,” Chowdhury asserted.
He emphasized that the government has always operated with transparency and fairness.
“No decision will be made behind closed doors or without following the due process. Our priority is to bring quality healthcare facilities to the people of Tripura, and we will continue working towards that goal,” the Minister assured.
The exchange of accusations marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political tensions in Tripura. While Roy Barman has consistently criticized the BJP government for alleged corruption, the ruling party has steadfastly rejected the claims, labeling them as part of a broader political conspiracy by opposition forces.
With the state’s political landscape heating up, these allegations and rebuttals are expected to continue dominating the public discourse, as both sides position themselves ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
