AGARTALA: As a face saving exercise, the CPM has axed a party member for sleeping on bed of cash amounting to Rs 20 lakh.
A local cable TV network has started beaming video footage showing Samar Acharjee, a member of CPM Jogendranagar local committee sleeping on bed of cash triggering embarrassment for the ruling party. Acharjee, a resident of Bankumari is also a member of Agartala Municipal Council (AMC) ward no- 33. After the incident came into light, the CPM Sadar divisional committee held meetings with senior party leaders.
Faced by the major controversy, the party top brass sought video footage from the Jogendra Nagar Local Committee and after examining the same, the Dukli CPM divisional committee suspended Acharjee from the party for his “immoral act.”
According to the video footage, Samar Acharjee, a trusted lieutenant of Samar Chakraborty, vice chairperson has got contract work amounting to Rs. 70 lakh for setting up toilets in three AMC wards.
On October 17, Samar Acharjee alias Babul withdrew Rs. 20 lakh from a bank and slept on the bundle of notes. Visibly upset by the development, CPM state secretary Bijan Dhar on Sunday said, “He (Samar) might have lost psychological balance after getting so much of money. The party has suspended him for his act”.
However, Congress spokesman Dr. Ashok Sinha poked at CPM leadership for abetting corruption and nepotism. “This incident shows funds meant for development activities are being pocketed by ruling party leaders and the party top-brass kept mum on the wrongdoing”, he said.
Later, the ‘accused’ Samar Acharjee alleged that the video footage was part of a sinister design to malign me and my family.
Meanwhile, another CPM leader- Santosh Bhowmik of Dukli area was seen sleeping with money adding more woes to the ruling party. He is also a contractor and active member of CPM party. The party is expected to take action against Bhowmik.