Not paying Maharashtra MPs: Assam CM | Media Pyro

GUWAHATI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday denied claims that the state government was providing food and accommodation to the opposition Maharashtra MLAs lodged in a five-star hotel in Guwahati since June 22.

At least 40 MLAs in the hotel are led by Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde.

Why is the Assam government settling their hotel bills? Assam spends nothing on them. Do RTI, you will know,” said Mr. Sarma.

“I don’t think MLAs from Maharashtra are facing such a problem that we have to protect their hotel expenses,” he added.

Mr. Sarma said he was not aware of Maharashtra politics and quoted an Assamese proverb to prove his point. The proverb literally means: “It is useless for the ginger merchant to guard the ships.”

He also cited the frequent visits of some Assam BJP leaders to the hotel. “Our heads also go to other hotels. I will also go there if I feel like having a cup of tea,” he said.

After state Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah, Rajor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi demanded that the Maharashtra legislators go back.

“He is trying to make the Assamese youth, who work in the hotel, unemployed. His agenda is to allow businesses to suffer and people to lose their jobs so that he can make the most of the stimulus,” said Mr. Sarma.

Flood emergency

Regarding the floods, the Head of the State Government said that it is conducting aid and relief to be provided by the central government.

“We have not spent State funds so far,” he said amid criticism from the Center for not announcing any flood relief package in Assam.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, four more people, including two children died on Saturday to take the death toll from floods and landslides to 121 since April.

The number of districts has come down to 27 from a high of 35, but 10.3 lakh people are still affected in 2,894 villages and three urban centers, mainly in southern Assam’s Silchar.