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Government for code of conduct for Ministers, MLAs

Special Correspondent

Guwahati: The Assam government said on Sunday that the arrest of the former Education Minister Ripun Bora on bribery charge could be an eye-opener for all parties to set a common code of conduct for legislators and Ministers.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told journalists that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had set an example by dropping Mr. Bora from the Cabinet within just 3-4 hours of his arrest by the CBI.

On the contrary, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Asom Gana Parishad, which were demanding the resignation of Mr. Gogoi in the wake of Mr. Bora’s arrest, never took any action against any of their charge-sheeted leaders, he alleged.

Consensus

“Let other parties follow Mr. Gogoi’s example and set a standard by initiating action against the charge-sheeted leaders. The incident can be an eye-opener to set a code of conduct by political parties. Let them come forward. We will cooperate with them in setting up a consensus code of conduct to be followed by all parties,” Dr. Sarma said.

The Health Minister said the CBI had not shared anything with the State government except informing of Mr. Bora’s arrest.

Asked on Mr. Bora’s charge that he was a victim of a conspiracy hatched by two of his colleagues, Dr. Sarma said the party and the government would be happy if it was established that Mr. Bora was framed.

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