A day after the Arunachal Justice Forum (AJF) accused state BJP president Tapir Gao of encroaching on land belonging to the District Library and Information Centre (DLIC) in Naharlagun, the party’s general secretary Jarpum Gamlin on Friday termed the allegation as politically motivated and an attempt to tarnish Gao’s image.
“The BJP is not at all surprised by such baseless allegations levelled on its chief by an individual or group. Such accusations were expected with the 2019 assembly elections drawing near,” Gamlin told reporters at the party headquarters here.
The AJF had on Thursday alleged that Gao’s under-construction building at C-Sector in Naharlagun was blocking the main entry gate of the DLIC and demanded its demolition at the earliest.
The forum had also raised questions on the party chief’s assets in Naharlagun and Itanagar allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income and sought a probe into the matter. The AJF claimed that it had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the matter at the Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench on Wednesday and the case has been put up for hearing.
As per the AJF, the land on which Gao’s under-construction four-storied building stands, covers an area of almost 4,000 square metres. The land had been given to the DLIC in 1982, but Gao had occupied some portions illegally in 1995.
“Gao’s building at C-Sector in Naharlagun is a commercial building which is in the name of his wife. All his properties, be it in Naharlagun or Itanagar were accumulated through proper channel and following all required land allotment formalities,” Gamlin said, adding that the said building is being constructed with a long- term lease signed between Gao’s wife and her business partner.
“Like Gao, there are many other people who posses land and commercial buildings, but this does not mean all those establishments are constructed illegally,” he said.
Jarpum also requested the public not to be deceived by a person who has no authentic documents to substantiate his claim.
“Gao had already served a defamation suit of Rs 10 crore against AJF President Nabam Tagam on June 29 for his baseless allegations,” Gamlin said.
Gao echoed Gamlin and said the allegations against him were baseless and politically motivated.
The BJP president, aware of the PIL filed against him, said he has so far not received any communication from the court to appear for the hearing as claimed by the AJF.
“I am ready to fight the battle legally if the court summons me, as I have done nothing wrong,” Gao who is at present out of station said.