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Viral Photo of Assam Politician Sleeping on Money Heap Sparks Corruption Controversy

Kalyani Jha
27 Mar, 2024

A viral photo featuring Assam politician Benjamin Basumatary, seemingly asleep on a stack of ₹500 notes, has ignited a fierce debate on social media surrounding corruption allegations in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha election 2024. The controversy deepened as Basumatary was suspended by the United Peoples Party Liberal (UPPL) and relieved of his VCDC post in January, following the emergence of the photograph. Notably, UPPL is part of the BJP-led alliance in Assam.

The contentious image depicts Basumatary bare-chested, adorned with ₹500 notes strewn across his body, face, and forehead, triggering sharp criticism from the opposition, who accused the ruling bloc of being “mired in the swamp of corruption.”

Clarifying the circumstances surrounding the photograph, Benjamin Basumatary contended that the incident occurred five years ago and was sensationalized as part of a political vendetta. He further alleged that he faced blackmail attempts due to the photo. Addressing reporters, Basumatary stated, “The photo that has gone viral is five years old. It has been made viral due to political conspiracy. We will find out who has done this. I don’t know who has done this.”

Elaborating on the context of the photo, the suspended UPPL leader explained that five years ago, he had borrowed ₹3 lakh for his sister’s project. During a celebratory gathering that evening, he posed playfully with the borrowed money, leading to the now-controversial image.

UPPL swiftly distanced itself from the embroiled leader and the ensuing controversy. In an official statement, the party clarified that Basumatary was suspended and ousted from the VCDC post following the photo’s circulation. UPPL chief and Bodoland Territorial Council Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro reiterated the party’s stance, emphasizing that Basumatary’s actions were independent of UPPL’s directives.

Boro underscored this detachment in a social media post, stating, “Additionally, the BTC government suspended and removed him from the post of VCDC Chairman on 10th February 2024. I urge all media outlets and social media users to refrain from linking Basumatary with UPPL.”

As the controversy rages on, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the intricate dynamics and scrutiny involved in political campaigns, highlighting the impact of viral imagery in shaping public perception and discourse surrounding governance and ethics.