Assam CM accuses RTI activist Akhil Gogoi of accepting donations

Guwahati, Mar 18: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday alleged that Akhil Gogoi-led Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) had taken donations from rich and corporates, which was denied and challenged by the RTI activist.

"I welcome this (floating of a new party) as it is good for democracy. I heard that many rich and corporate people have contributed to KMSS," the Chief Minister said.

Gogoi, however, said he did not have any objection to KMSS collecting money from the affluent class. Reacting to the allegation, Akhil Gogoi of KMSS said, "He (Chief Minister) always makes a light comment just before any serious thing happens. I challenge him to prove it (taking money from corporates). I have rejected all corporate and capitalist funding to our organisation."

Earlier during the day, KMSS announced to launch an independent political party to fight Assembly elections in Assam in 2016.

The new party, the name of which has not been made public yet, will fight elections against the existing ones such as ruling Congress, BJP, AGP and AIUDF, Gogoi said in his inaugural speech at the 4th Biennial Convention of KMSS at Moran in Dibrugarh district.

About 5,000 delegates are participating in the three-day KMSS convention starting from today. Social activist and Gandhian Anna Hazare is expected to attend the convention on March 20.

PTI