Photo Of Assam Politician On Bed Of Notes Goes Viral, Party Distances Itself

A suspended member of Pramod Boro-led UPPL party, which is in alliance with BJP in Assam, was seen sleeping on stacks of currency in a photo that surfaced on the internet.

However, UPPL later noted in a statement that the person in the photo, Benjamin Basumatry, was suspended from the party on January 10, 2024.

A picture of Benjamin Basumatary lying on stacks of currency notes went viral on social media days ahead of polling for Lok Sabha elections.

“A photo of Benjamin Basumatry is circulating widely on social media. We want to clarify that Mr Basumatry is no longer associated with UPPL as he was suspended from the party on 10th January, 2024, and disciplinary action was taken against him after receiving a letter from the Harisingha Block Committee, UPPL on 5th January, 2024. Additionally, the BTC Government suspended and removed him from the post of VCDC Chairman on 10th February 2024,” the UPPL chief said in a statement.

UPPL chief Pramod Boro further urged media organisations to stop linking Benjamin Basumatry to the party. “I urge all media outlets and social media users to refrain from linking Mr. Basumatry with UPPL. His actions are solely his own responsibility, and the party is not accountable for any of his personal acts,” he said in an X post.

The UPPL, led by Bodoland CEM Pramod Bodo, had emerged as a strong political force against corruption and had made a public commitment to never engage in corrupt practices.

The UPPL is the BJP’s ally in Assam. While BJP is contesting 11 seats in the Lok Sabha polls in Assam, its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the UPPL are fighting on three seats.