Sri Vijaya Puram, June 27: BJP’s Angshuman Roy has rejected allegations arising out of a purported leaked audio conversation involving Andaman and Nicobar BJP president Anil Tiwari, saying the recording has been presented without its full context and bears an interpretation that is inconsistent with what was actually discussed.
Speaking exclusively to The Wave Andaman, Roy said the conversation took place on June 17, but maintained that the portions now circulating on social media do not accurately reflect the context in which it occurred.
“The conversation happened on June 17, but it is not factually consistent with the context in which it has been presented,” Roy said.
According to Roy, references in the conversation suggesting that Tiwari would help increase his business should not be interpreted literally.
“The manner in which the BJP president spoke was merely his way of speaking. It was conversational in nature and should not be construed as any concrete assurance or arrangement,” Roy said.
The purported audio clip, which has triggered a political controversy in the islands, appears to feature Tiwari assuring Roy that he would help expand his business while also seeking financial contributions from time to time. The authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified by The Wave Andaman.
Roy said the controversy had overshadowed the real reason he entered the healthcare assistance sector.
He recalled that the initiative was born out of a personal tragedy after his 44-year-old sister died following what he described as a simple accident.
“We could not shift her to Chennai or Kolkata in time because emergency medical evacuation was simply not available to us. Losing her changed my life. I decided that if I could help even one family avoid such a situation, it would be worthwhile,” Roy said.
Following the incident, Roy said he partnered with Aerodmed an air ambulance service provider, to facilitate emergency medical evacuations for critically ill patients from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to hospitals on the mainland.
Explaining the economics of such operations, Roy said charges varied entirely on the patient’s medical condition and the level of care required during transport.
“The minimum cost is around ₹2 lakh where only a stretcher patient has to be transported. However, when a patient requires ventilator support, critical care equipment, specialist doctors or trained medical personnel to accompany the flight, the cost increases depending on the medical requirements,” he said.
Roy acknowledged that such services are primarily availed by patients who can afford them and who have little confidence that their medical condition can be adequately managed within the islands because several super-speciality treatment facilities are unavailable at the government-run GB Pant Hospital.
However, he strongly denied that commercial considerations were the driving force behind the initiative.
“Profit has never been the motive behind this endeavour,” Roy said. “There have been several occasions where economically weaker patients were given substantial discounts so that they could still be transported for treatment on the mainland.”
Rejecting allegations that he had exploited vulnerable patients, Roy described such claims as “completely untrue.”
“The very fact that emergency medical evacuation services are available today is a blessing for a geographically isolated place like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. When every minute matters, having the option of an air ambulance can make the difference between life and death,” he said.
Roy further asserted that the ongoing political controversy would not deter him from continuing his work in the healthcare sector.
“Whether I remain associated with the BJP or not, I will continue serving society, particularly in healthcare. That commitment remains unchanged,” he said.
The controversy erupted after a purported audio recording allegedly featuring former BJP State Secretary Angshuman Roy and BJP State President Anil Tiwari surfaced on social media, prompting allegations from political opponents regarding patient referrals and financial dealings. Roy said the recording relates to a conversation that took place on June 17 and has been selectively presented without its full context. Both Roy and Tiwari have maintained that the circulating audio is incomplete, taken out of context and does not accurately reflect the substance of their conversation.
The authenticity of the purported recording has not been independently verified by The Wave Andaman.
