A photograph of Benjamin Basumatary, a politician from Assam, has gone viral.
The image, which has been shared across various media platforms, shows Basumatary asleep on a bed covered with ₹500 notes. This has led to a flurry of speculation and controversy, particularly in the context of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The photograph has been met with mixed reactions, with some viewing it as a symbol of corruption, while others have sought to understand the context behind it.
Basumatary, who is a suspended member of the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), has clarified that the photo was taken five years ago during a lighthearted moment at a party. He stated that the money belonged to his sister and that a friend clicked the photo.
The UPPL has been quick to distance itself from the controversy, emphasizing that Basumatary’s actions are his own and not representative of the party’s values. The party has also highlighted that Basumatary had been suspended prior to this incident coming to light.