A viral photo of Assam politician Benjamin Basumatary sleeping on a pile of currency notes has triggered a debate on social media over alleged corruption in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections.
The United Peoples Party Liberal, which is part of the BJP-led ruling coalition in Assam, said Basumatary was suspended from the party on January 10 in connection with the photograph.
UPPL chief and Bodoland Territorial Council Chief Executive Member Pramod Boro added that the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) had suspended and removed the tainted politcian from the Village Council Development Committee chairman's post on February 10.
The controversial image shows a bare-chested Basumatary sleeping on a pile of Rs 500 notes.
What is Benjamin Basumatary's version?
Clearing the air over the controversial image, Basumatary claimed the photo was taken five year go when he had received a Rs 3 lakh loan for his sister. He went on to say that he posed with the borrowed money while having a party with friends.
He claimed that he was blackmailed because of the photo and that it was circulated as part of a political controversy.
"We will find out who has done this. I don't know who has done this," Basumatary said.
Distancing itself from the controversy, UPPL said, "“Basumatary’s actions are solely his own responsibility, and the party is not accountable for any of his personal acts."