The political situation in Arunachal Pradesh has intensified after the Supreme Court of India directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a preliminary enquiry into alleged irregularities in the allotment of government contracts.
The state Congress unit has demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Pema Khandu on moral grounds. Bosiram Siram, president of the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), described the Supreme Court’s directive as a “serious indictment” of the BJP-led government, alleging widespread corruption, nepotism, and misuse of power.
Siram claimed that contracts worth over ₹1,270 crore were allegedly awarded to firms linked to the Chief Minister’s family, calling it a “gross betrayal of public trust.” He also demanded a free, fair, and time-bound investigation under judicial monitoring to ensure transparency and prevent undue influence.
Criticising the government, Siram said the BJP’s anti-corruption stance stands contradicted by the allegations, adding that the Supreme Court’s intervention validates long-standing concerns about the diversion of public resources to a select few.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pema Khandu welcomed the court-ordered probe and assured full cooperation with the CBI. He stated that the enquiry would help “clear the air” and reaffirm transparency in governance. “The truth will come out,” he said.
The state government, in its affidavit, maintained that only 121 out of 21,079 contracts awarded over the past decade went to four firms linked to the allegations—just 0.57% of total works. In value terms, these contracts amounted to ₹1,245.04 crore, or 2.74% of the total ₹45,380.96 crore worth of contracts awarded through proper tender processes.
The Supreme Court has now tasked the CBI with verifying these claims through a preliminary enquiry, which will determine the accuracy of the allegations and whether a full-scale investigation is required.
