CorruptionProbe – Congress Targets BJP Over Arunachal CM Remaining in Office
CorruptionProbe – The Congress on Tuesday intensified its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party over Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu continuing in office despite the Supreme Court ordering a preliminary CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities linked to government contract allocations.
Congress Raises Questions Over Chief Minister’s Continuation
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh questioned why no action had been taken against Khandu after the apex court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to examine allegations involving contracts reportedly awarded to companies associated with members of the Chief Minister’s family. According to the Congress, allowing Khandu to remain in office while the inquiry proceeds raises concerns about administrative neutrality and institutional accountability.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Ramesh argued that the Supreme Court’s directive carried significant constitutional weight and should have prompted immediate political action. He said the situation had created doubts about the government’s commitment to transparency and ethical governance.
Supreme Court Ordered Preliminary CBI Inquiry
The controversy stems from an April 6 order passed by a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court directing the CBI to begin a preliminary inquiry into allegations related to the allotment of public works contracts in Arunachal Pradesh.
The allegations involve contracts worth nearly Rs 1,270 crore reportedly awarded over a decade between January 2015 and December 2025. The court was informed that several firms allegedly connected to relatives of the Chief Minister had received these contracts, leading to accusations of conflict of interest and misuse of official position.
The Bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, observed that matters involving public procurement and possible conflicts of interest at senior political levels required an investigation that was both impartial and publicly credible.
Opposition Questions Administrative Control
The Congress also highlighted that Khandu currently oversees the Public Works Department, a role the opposition says could create complications during the investigation process. Ramesh alleged that the department under the Chief Minister’s control may possess documents and official files required by investigators.
According to the Congress leader, this overlap between executive authority and the ongoing inquiry undermines confidence in the fairness of the process. He further criticised the central leadership of the BJP, accusing it of remaining silent despite repeated references to anti-corruption commitments in the past.
Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly, Ramesh referred to earlier political slogans against corruption and questioned why similar standards were not being applied in the present case.
Court Stresses Need for Fair Investigation
In its observations, the Supreme Court emphasised that state authorities and public institutions cannot distribute benefits according to the preferences of political office-bearers. The Bench noted that allegations involving public funds and government contracts must be examined independently to maintain public trust in governance systems.
The court also underlined that investigations in such sensitive matters should not only be fair in practice but should also appear fair to the public. Legal experts believe these remarks indicate the judiciary’s concern over transparency in public procurement mechanisms.
Political Debate Likely to Intensify
The issue has now become part of a wider political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP ahead of upcoming electoral contests in several states. Congress leaders have suggested that similar allegations involving other BJP-ruled states also deserve closer scrutiny.
The BJP has not yet issued a detailed response to the latest criticism from the opposition regarding Khandu’s continuation in office. Meanwhile, political observers expect the matter to remain under focus as the CBI moves forward with the inquiry ordered by the Supreme Court.