Tripura Minister Challenges Congress MLA to Prove Corruption Charges, Threatens to Quit Politics

Tripura's Tribal Welfare Minister, Bikash Debbarma, has issued a bold ultimatum, stating he would quit politics if Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman can substantiate the corruption charges against him within two days. The minister’s response comes after Roy Barman, a seven-time legislator, accused Debbarma of acquiring properties through corrupt means.

In a recent state assembly session, the Congress MLA claimed that Debbarma and his family had accumulated significant assets, including land in Agartala, a petrol pump in Khowai district, and a flat in Delhi, through illicit practices. The minister has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that his family’s wealth is legally obtained.

“I am not a beggar. My father was a central government employee and my mother used to work with the state government. I have been a government-approved contractor since 1989,” Debbarma stated during a press conference. He rejected the accusations, calling them baseless attempts to damage his political career.

Debbarma further challenged Roy Barman to prove his claims, saying, “I will quit politics if he could prove the corruption allegations.” The minister also warned that he would file a defamation suit against the Congress MLA for making what he described as “false corruption charges.”

Roy Barman, however, remains unfazed by the minister's threat of legal action. “Whatever allegations I have brought against the minister in the Assembly were based on reality. There is no question of changing my stand,” he said. The Congress leader accused Debbarma of attempting to shield himself and his ministerial position from the fallout of the corruption charges.

“I demand immediate sacking of the tribal welfare minister for indulging in corruption,” Roy Barman added, doubling down on his call for Debbarma’s removal from office.

As political tensions escalate in Tripura, all eyes will be on whether Roy Barman can substantiate his allegations and force a dramatic shift in the state’s political landscape.