A purported video that has gone viral shows Alipurduar BJP MP Manoj Tigga engaged in a heated argument at Madarihat Block Development Officer (BDO), Amit Kumar Chowrasia’s office, over delay in distribution of flood relief material in the area.
On October 29, Tigga stormed into Chowrasia’s office, demanding answers over delayed flood relief aid for homeless tea garden workers.
In a purported viral video, Tigga can be seen pointing his finger and slamming a table and allegedly accusing BDO Chowrasia of working as a Trinamool Congress (TMC) cadre.
The BJP MP is allegedly heard accusing the BDO of political bias, saying that relief items were being distributed selectively with the help of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders.
“If you want to be a BDO, do your job as one. Otherwise, carry the Trinamool flag and go around,” Tigga is allegedly heard saying in the video clip.
After heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides in North Bengal last month, many tea garden workers’ families were rendered homeless. Some of the families have alleged that they had not yet received any relief material, not even tarpaulins.
According to sources, after the incident the BDO had informed his senior authorities. “The MP came to my office without any prior notice with around 100 of his supporters. The MP came and just made allegations, he did not allow me to say anything, he recorded a video and left. I am here to work, not to quarrel with anyone,” the BDO said while speaking with media persons.
The incident, meanwhile, has sparked sharp political backlash and drawn criticism from the Trinamool Congress which accused the BJP MP of abusing his position and threatening a government officer.
“He was showing off his power over a WBCS officer. What he did was unconstitutional. We all saw the video. These people never work for the public. During the flood, what did he do for the people? Nothing,” TMC Rajya Sabha MP Prakash Chik Baraik said.
However, Tigga said, “These people did not get relief material even after their names were given.. because they are BJP workers. I have just said the truth.”
Union Minister BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar who criticized the BDO’s behaviour, “The BDO is a WBSC officer and we can see him sitting while an MP is standing, this is not the first time that this has happened. If this would have been a TMC leader we would see the TMC leader sitting in the BDOs chair but in BJP we know how to respect the chair.”