For the second consecutive day on Tuesday, Youth Congress State president Rajat Choudhary appeared at the CBI office and was grilled in two phases in connection with the Artha Tatwa (AT) Group chit fund scam.
The Central investigating agency grilled Choudhury for around eight hours in two phases while he had been interrogated for around three hours on Monday.
Sources said Choudhary had the power of attorney of a property belonging to the AT Group which was sold for Rs 94 lakh to chit fund scam accused Dilip Mohanty. However, Mohanty never paid the amount to the money collection firm.
Meanwhile, a dispute has erupted over the resignation of Choudhary. While senior Congress leader lalatendu Bidyadhar (lulu) Mohapatra said Choudhury has given his resignation letter to him to send the same to high command, but the Youth Congress president denied giving resignation.
“Rajat has tendered his resignation from the post. He told me that he is no way involved in the scam. But since the allegations have surfaced against him and the party is facing criticism for it, he resigned. The resignation letter will be sent to the All India Youth Congress president,” Mohapatra told reporters.
On other hand, Choudhury said he was under mental stress and has not resigned from the post.
“I am under mental stress. I don’t know what lulu Mohapatra has said, I have not resigned,” said Choudhury.
However, Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan pleaded ignorance of Choudhury’s resignation.
“I have no idea of his (Choudhary) resignation. As per procedure, the State unit Youth Congress president will send his resignation to the All India Youth Congress president,” said Harichandan.
However, the resignation of Choudhury suo moto would put pressure on the ruling BJD which is in back foot for Minister Sanjay Dasburma for his alleged involvement in the AT chit fund scam too.