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Journalism of Courage
AGARTALA, March 21: A state Congress leader, in his wisdom, appears to have reasoned that if the party headquarters cannot serve a political purpose, it may as well be used to sell soft drinks. A major portion of the headquarters has been given on lease to a businessman, a decision that other leaders claim they had no knowledge of.
The matter came to their notice recently when the businessman started renovating the ground floor of the two-storeyed Congress Bhavan’ for turning it to a fast food joint and hung hoardings of a soft drink firm.
Roy, on his arrival from New Delhi, expressed ignorance and requested the chief secretary to direct the police to take immediate action, Congress sources said.
But the businessman produced a deed agreement signed on April 1,1996 by the then party general secretary Jiten Das on behalf of the TPCC for leasing the ground floor for 20 years at a monthly rent of Rs 3,100. Former chief minister Sudhir Ranjan Majumder was TPCC president at the time.
Meanwhile, a four-member committee was set up to inquire into the matter, Roy told newsmen. Some senior Congress leaders alleged huge kickbacks were given in the deal and urged the AICC to enquire into the affair and punish the culprits.
Roy said the TPCC executive committee, which met last Wednesday, discussed the matter. A four-member committee headed by vice president Amar Gupta was formed to investigate the matter.
A majority of the TPCC office-bearers did not attend the PCC meeting, saying they had nothing to do with the situation.
The police too said they could hardly do anything. "We have nothing do in this case as it is of a civil nature. It should be decided in a civil court," said the officer in charge of West Tripura police station.
"Such activities are bound to affectthe prospects of the Congress in the ensuing panchayat elections," said veteran Congress leader and former minister Ratan Chakraborty.
"Whosoever is involved in this has tarnished the image of the party. How can a businessman enter the Bhawan without the sanction of party office- bearers?" said a party leader.
