NEITHER BJP NOR ASSAM PAYING BILLS OF MLAS: SARMA

Hit by charges of Opposition political parties, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday clarified that neither BJP nor Assam was paying the bills of the Maharashtra legislators camping at the luxury hotel here from Wednesday.

Denying his involvement with the political crisis, he told reporters, “Why should I be involved in whether there is BJP’S support in Maharashtra or not. My only concern is that if some guests have come to Assam, they should be staying safely and comfortably. Tomorrow, even if Congress comes, I will extend the same welcome.”

In an obvious reference to speculation in local newspapers about swelling hotel bills of rebel Maharashtra legislators, Sarma said, “Why will BJP pay the bills or for that matter why will Assam foot the bills. Rather Assam is earning by way of GST from the hotel.” Sarma also took a dig at journalists saying that only after the legislators from Maharashtra arrived here during the ongoing flood, Assam’s flood woes have been taken care of.

“I am grateful that Shiv Sena came at this time because of which Assam’s flood was highlighted,” Sarma said.

Snce Wednesday Assam is now at the centre of two major events — one a power struggle involving Maharashtra legislators and the other, a struggle for survival for lakhs of people hit by devastating floods.

The NCP also on Saturday sought to know who was paying the bills of hotels in Guwahati and Surat. The NCP also asked the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate to find out the source of “black money” involved.

NCP’S chief spokesperson Mahesh Tapase asked, “Who is paying the bills of hotels in Surat and Guwahati as well as the chartered flight?”