In a shocking video, Tripura minister Monoj Kanti Deb has been spotted groping a female colleague during a stage event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Biplab Kanti Deb. The authenticity of the video could not be independently established.
The Opposition – led by the Left Front – has demanded the resignation of Monoj Kanti Deb stating that he has violated the dignity of a woman by ‘touching’ her in an ‘indecent manner’. The incident took place during a rally in Agartala on Saturday.
Stating that the minister has ‘harmed’ the modesty of the colleague, Left Front convenor Biplab Dhar has demanded that Monoj Kanti Deb be ‘sacked’ for his indiscretions. Other local parties are also demanding his resignation.
BJP spokesperson Nabendu Bhattacharjee has however dismissed the allegations as an attempt by the opposition to rake up ‘non-issues’. Calling it a ‘character-assassination’ of the BJP minister, the BJP spokesperson has indicated that the ‘woman minister has never made any statement’ to be reason enough for not bringing the minister to book. Minister Monoj Kanti Deb has since refused to comment on the incident when contacted by news agencies.
