Dimapur, 11 December (MTNews): The BJP Nagaland, led by President Benjamin Yeptho, staged a Dharna in Dimapur today to protest against the substantial undisclosed wealth associated with Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu that was revealed after a recent Income Tax raid. The demonstration saw slogans such as “Congress party chor hai” (Congress party is a thief) echoing through the streets.
The BJP Nagaland not only targeted the Congress MP but also questioned the silence of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and the Congress party regarding the alleged financial irregularities. The party also appealed to the central government to address the matter seriously.
This protest comes on the heels of a press conference held by BJP Mahila Morcha National President, Vanathi Srinivasan, in Dimapur on Saturday. Srinivasan took aim at the Congress and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA alliance), discussing the “secret fortune” of Dheeraj Sahu recovered by the Income Tax department. She criticized the opposition’s silence and defended Prime Minister Modi’s demonetization.
The Income Tax department considers this operation as one of the highest-ever black money haul by any agency in a single operation. Out of the 176 bags scrutinized, 140 have been counted, revealing an astonishing value of Rs 351 crore. The unaccounted cash was seized from properties associated with Congress’ Rajya Sabha MP Dheeraj Sahu in Odisha and Jharkhand during raids initiated on December 6.
The counting process, involving fifty officials from three banks and 40 machines, aimed to conclude by Sunday to facilitate the return of machines to banks for regular operations on Monday. Bhagat Behera, the State Bank of India’s Regional Manager, shared updates on the counting progress, mentioning additional machines and manpower were deployed on Sunday to expedite the process.
The funds, primarily linked to Boudh Distillery Private Limited in Odisha, associated with Congress MP Dheeraj Sahu’s extended family engaged in a major alcohol manufacturing business, have raised concerns. The Income Tax department has recorded statements from various company officials and individuals linked to the case.
While Congress distances itself from Sahu’s businesses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of returning every penny to the public. Simultaneously, the Jharkhand BJP alleged that the cash recovered was intended for horse-trading and ‘resort politics.’
In response, the Congress has sought clarification from its Rajya Sabha member Dheeraj Sahu. The party acknowledges the incident as a personal matter for Sahu and refrains from commenting until official statements from Income Tax and related agencies are issued. This is not the first time Sahu has faced controversy, as a similar incident occurred in December 2019 when Rs 30 lakh in cash was found in his bag at the Ranchi airport.