Sushmita Dev Alleges Political Conspiracy by Silchar MP, Questions Ashok Singhal’s Role in Corporation Election Delay

Former Chairperson of the Silchar Municipal Board (SMB) and current Rajya Sabha MP, Sushmita Dev, has raised serious allegations of political conspiracy against the newly elected Silchar MP, Parimal Suklabaidya. In a press conference held today by the Trinamool Congress, Dev criticized Suklabaidya and the ruling BJP party for allegedly forcefully holding control over the SMB, which currently lacks an elected body.

The controversy stems from a recent meeting attended by the Silchar MP, the MLA of Silchar and Udharbond, the District Commissioner of Cachar, and two Ex-officio members of the Municipality. Also present at the meeting was the BJP’s District President, whose presence has been questioned by Dev.

“The newly elected MP has held a meeting with the Ex-officio members of the Municipality. I agree with the MP that even though there is no elected body of the Municipality, the water tax was increased to avoid financial issues. However, I want to ask the honourable MP why his party’s district president was present at the meeting. If the president of your party can be present at the meeting of ex-officio members, why were other party presidents not called? Can a party president be present at a meeting with the members? Who did they (the Executive Body of SMB) implement the tax without any discussion in the absence of an elected body?” Dev questioned.

Dev also criticized the MP for not addressing key developmental issues in Silchar. “You (MP) are in favour of the increased water tax, but what developmental meetings did you hold? Did you talk about the developmental work of Goldighi Mall, Sanjay Market, RDI Hall, or Byayam Bidyalay? Why did you not talk about those issues?” she asked.

Furthermore, Dev accused Assam’s Urban Development Minister, Ashok Singhal, of deliberately delaying the SMB elections. “The Urban Development Minister said the elections of the ‘Corporation’ will be held after three months as the case (at Guwahati High Court) will be over by then. I want to ask the minister if he is the judge of the High Court and his statement will end the case. I doubt that you (Singhal) have filed the case. The Corporation elections will be held whenever and however possible, but today there is no legal hurdle against conducting the board elections for the 28 wards of SMB. You are not holding the elections of the Silchar Municipal Board because you are forcefully sitting over the municipality and are not ready to give up your forced occupation. The presence of BJP’s district president proves that the board is to serve the BJP members and not the general public,” Dev asserted.

She further questioned why Panchayat Elections can be held while the corporation elections are delayed, calling it a conspiracy against Silchar Town.

The allegations by Dev have sparked a significant political debate, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition.