Arunachal Pradesh Congress on Standby Amid Supreme Court Probe

The Supreme Court has requested an affidavit detailing all contracts awarded by the Arunachal Pradesh state government from 2015 to 2025. This includes contracts given to firms linked to Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s family, sparking a potential inquiry. The Congress unit remains cautious, awaiting legal developments.

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress is adopting a cautious stance following the Supreme Court's directive for the state government to provide a detailed affidavit on contracts awarded from 2015 to 2025. The move aims to uncover potential conflicts of interest, especially concerning firms linked to Chief Minister Pema Khandu's family.

A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued this order on December 2. The court deliberated on whether these contract awards warrant a CBI investigation, as they involved close family ties to Khandu. The Congress unit, mindful of the case's sub judice status, has refrained from political commentary.

Additionally, the Comptroller and Auditor General had previously noted irregularities in the awarding process, hinting at possible cartelization. Allegations have surfaced regarding the minimal differences between tender bids, a point the court found 'remarkable' and potentially indicative of underhanded tactics.

(With inputs from agencies.)