Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday slammed a daily newspaper for "planting" a story about his alleged involvement in a hydropower project scam in Arunachal Pradesh.
"It is a planted story. And if they shall come to Arunachal Pradesh they would be thrashed with shoes," Minister of State for Home Affairs Rijiju told reporters.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader's comment came after a newspaper claimed that he had written letters to clear payments of the contractors in the construction of two dams for the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh.
"Does serving people mean corruption?" Rijiju asked.
Later in the day, the Congress demanded Rijiju’s resignation after releasing an audiotape in which the minister is purportedly heard speaking to his brother who is allegedly part of the Rs. 450-crore hydroelectric power project scam in Arunachal Pradesh.
Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, "We have audio proof against Mr. Kiren Rijiju's brother."
“MoS Rijiju cleared dubious deals in the Kameng Hydro Electric project and his cousin's voice has been caught in the 28-minute audio tape,” Surjewala said.
Surjewala said: "The minister has no right to remain on his post. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who talks of transparency and honesty, should get this (Rijiju's involvement in scam) investigated by an independent agency.
"Till that time, the Prime Minister should either dismiss the Minister of State or ask for his resignation."
Surjewala also demanded an investigation against all the senior officials associated with the project.
Rijiju earlier on Tuesday slammed a daily newspaper for "planting" a story about his alleged involvement in a power project and said if they visit Arunachal Pradesh, they will be "thrashed with shoes".
The newspaper claimed that he had written letters to clear payments of the contractors in the construction of two dams for the 600MW Kameng Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh.
(IANS inputs)