Tag: Assam assembly elections

Express News Service
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has set a tone of election campaign using peace and development cards while pushing polarisation in the backdrop. He cited reasons why his party should be voted back to power. He did also repeat the “enemies of the nation” phrase but did not emphasise on it. Excerpts from an interview

Q: Why do you think people will vote for BJP and you again?

A: Five years ago, there was anarchy everywhere. There was corruption, nepotism. There was the cash-for-jobs scam in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC). People had lost their trust and faith in the administration.

The previous government should have ensured 100% benefits to the beneficiaries. Instead of doing that, the government developed some middlemen to carry out its corrupt practices. The middlemen siphoned off the benefits of beneficiaries. They looted and people suffered. There were protests. Due to Congress misrule, governance was weakened. It went far away from the people who realised they will not get justice as governance failed to protect them. Every scheme failed as a result.

People got alienated from governance due to the corrupt practices of Congress. Restoring people’s trust in it was a major challenge for our government. We focused on cleansing governance by working sincerely. We first closed down 156 illegal check gates on national highways. Money collected there used to reach the pockets of elements, including politicians, bureaucrats etc. A signal was given that we will not tolerate corruption. There will be zero tolerance. This fight has continued. We have not spared the corrupt.

The probe agencies were given total freedom. No government before achieved that much success during the drive against corruption like us. There are challenges when you go after the corrupt. You have seen how we dealt with various scams. For the first time, candidates secured jobs based on merit after clearing exams conducted by the APSC. Many of them were from very poor families. Not just the achievers, even those who failed to crack the exams gave statements, stating that the exams were conducted in a fair manner.

The previous Congress government did not work sincerely to stop rhino-poaching at Kaziranga National Park. We involved five districts, which surround the park, to ensure the animal’s protection. By taking every villager into confidence, we kept a hawk’s eye on the park.

We gave sophisticated weapons to the forest guards so they can fight the poachers who come armed with automated weapons. The poachers used to get away during Congress rule. We thought if they are not punished, poaching will continue. We ensured the arrested poachers are tried in a fast-track court. Altogether 370 of them were arrested and 70 convicted. Previously, they had no fear, for they knew the government is not going to take action.

With cooperation from villagers and everyone, we were able to curb poaching. We built highlands inside the park and also ensured there is no food scarcity for the animals, especially during floods. Not just human beings and livestock, we also sought to secure the lives of wild animals. We thought we have to conserve biodiversity and it means us and everything around.

We have planted 10 crore fruit, flowering, and medicinal plants and created 222 sq km of forest. In the past five years, the population of wild animals also increased.

The beneficiaries of PMAY are happy to have got good houses. During Congress’ rule, since there was corruption, the houses would decay months after their construction. We ensured value is registered in the field of action.

We managed the COVID-19 pandemic well as the various departments worked in close coordination. We developed a model on the effective management of the pandemic.

During Congress’ time, there were lakhs of indigenous people without land rights and land “pattas” (legal documents). There will be uncertainty on your identity, language, and culture so long as you cannot assert your land rights and have ownership. Our slogan was “Aamar Mati, Aamar Asom, Aamar Adhikar”. We lived up to it. We had come up with a new land policy. Land in Assam was never surveyed; we started it. We gave land pattas to 3.65 lakh indigenous people.

We offered financial aid to namghars (Vaishnavite prayer centres) and other religious institutions and protected the identity of communities. We gave equal respect to all communities to ensure peaceful co-existence. Congress always followed the divide and rule policy. So, people’s trust in us increased.

There is no anti-incumbency. We did what we said. There is transparency. Despite the pandemic, development work continued. We took steps to conserve the 600-year history of the Ahom dynasty. We built 18,000 km of roads and universities, AIIMS, and other institutes.

Q: Did Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) divide the Bengali-majority Barak and Assamese-majority Brahmaputra valleys?

A: To fulfill their own interests, some elements had resorted to lies. Some said one crore Bangladeshis will come to Assam. Some said two crore will come. Time proved everything.

Q: The Assam Accord says the immigrants, irrespective of faith who migrated after March 24, 1971, will have to be detected and deported. CAA wants to protect non-Muslim immigrants who came till December 31, 2014. Doesn’t CAA come in conflict with the Assam Accord?

A: Clause 6 of the Assam Accord says the immigrants, irrespective of faith who migrated after March 24, 1971, will have to be detected and deported. CAA wants to protect non-Muslim immigrants who came till December 31, 2014. Doesn’t CAA come in conflict with the Accord’s Clause 6?

The High-level Committee on the Implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord has submitted its recommendations. It sought the implementation of the recommendations in two years. The time has not elapsed. Let us retain power, we will examine it. Leave it to the government.

Q: Could the daily wage of tea garden workers be a big election issue as the Gauhati High Court has stayed the hike of Rs 50 after the decision taken by the government was challenged by tea garden owners? Congress has started campaigning against it.

How much had the Congress raised the wage in 55 years? They raised it in paise. We raised it by Rs 80 in five years. Congress has no moral right to talk about it. We love the tea workers. We have taken several steps to take the community forward. We prioritised education in the tea belt. We built 19 high schools; Congress could not build even one. We engaged two additional contractual teachers in 400 schools that are managed by tea gardens.

We ensured free admission of schoolchildren, gave books to them for free. Sardars and night watchmen in tea estates were given mobile phones. Women belonging to the community are given a financial aid of Rs 12,000 during pregnancy. Roads in tea estates were in a bad shape; we improved their condition.

Q: How much could the Congress-AIUDF (All India United Democratic Front) alliance damage BJP in the polls?

A: Congress-AIUDF always had an alliance although it was never made official like now. They are the two sides of a coin. Their ideologies and principles are the same. They don’t raise their voice for a greater Assam. Because of them, the people of Assam are facing a threat to their existence. Who created this situation? First, it was Congress; later, it was AIUDF. So, people have understood their design. These forces are working to endanger the existence of people. They never worked sincerely in the nation’s interests. That’s why people have sidelined Congress today. The Assam Agitation was a result of Congress-created problems. People will not forget these events.

Q: Are the new parties – Asom Jatiya Parishad and Raijor Dal – a threat to BJP?

A: No matter how many parties are formed, one thing is clear. We have a very conscious society that understands right and wrong. I am confident people will vote for BJP again. People want peace, progress, and security. They know we worked on these sincerely in the last five years and achieved success.

The members of several insurgent groups have joined the mainstream. Now, people have no worries as regards their daily business and security. They are happy with the government. They want peace, brotherhood. They are convinced that only a BJP-led government can turn Assam into a progressive state.

Earlier, people had to agitate to get a bridge over the Brahmaputra. Now, the work of not one but five bridges has started. There are four bridges coming up over river Barak. Around 19,000 km of road has been built in Assam in the last five years. Our farmers can now export their produce in cargo flights. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become a darling of the people of the Northeast for his series of development initiatives in the region.

Q: You had called upon indigenous communities and genuine Indians to stand united against “Mughal aggression”. Don’t you need the votes of the Muslims?

A: Modi Ji said “Sab Ka Saath, Sabka Vikash, Sabka Vishwas”. We strongly believe in it. Nobody has been deprived of any scheme. Benefits are reaching every household irrespective of caste, creed and religion. That is the spirit of democracy and the principle of secularism.

However, those who are the enemies of Assam and the country, have to be identified. By studying the work of a political party, you will know if it is committed to the nation. We will never allow forces, which are a threat to the nation, communal amity, brotherhood, Assam’s art, culture, land, and language, to raise their head.

By Express News Service
GUWAHATI: A local leader of the BJP in Assam was stabbed to death just days before the Assembly elections.

The victim, Deba Gogoi (48), was the booth president of Buridihing Gaon Panchayat in Upper Assam’s Tinsukia district. He was rushed to a hospital but he succumbed to his injuries soon after.

The police arrested one Joy Chandra Gogoi in connection with the murder. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the incident.

“Strongly condemn the brutal murder of @BJP4Assam karyakarta, Deba Gogoi, Booth President under Margherita LAC. My deepest condolences to his family & friends. Such acts of violence will not be tolerated & I assure that law will take its course to punish the guilty,” Sonowal tweeted.

He said he had spoken with Director General of Police (DGP), Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta and directed him to oversee the investigation so that the perpetrator of the crime could be brought to book early.

Responding to Sonowal’s tweet, Special DGP, GP Singh tweeted: “Sir, the accused Joy Chandra Gogoi resident of the same village has been arrested and effort is being made to recover dagger used in offence. Further investigation is continuing.”

Upper Assam will go to the first of three-phase polls on March 27.

Express News Service
GUWAHATI: Just days ahead of Assam elections, a students’ body in the state launched a campaign on Friday to remind the tea workers how they were deceived by the various political parties.

The “political awareness meetings” were launched by the All Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (AATTSA). The focus of its discussions with the workers is on their daily wage.

Currently, they get a daily wage of Rs 167 and are entitled to fringe benefits including housing, electricity, ration, etc. On February 23, the state government had hiked the wage by Rs 50 but the owners of tea gardens moved the Gauhati High Court which ordered a stay.

The AATTSA said it would highlight the injustice done to the workers by the ruling BJP, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), and Congress.

“We launched the political awareness meetings today (Friday). Not just that of the BJP, we will also highlight the failures of Congress and other parties, including AGP. The tea workers are now politically conscious. You cannot fool them anymore,” AATTSA state president Dhiraj Gowala said.

ALSO READ | Assam polls: HC stay on wage hike to tea garden workers gives Opposition much-needed ammo

He slammed the state’s BJP-led government for its decision on wage hikes just days before the election model code of conduct came into force.

“The BJP itself had made a commitment in 2016 to give a daily wage of Rs 351 to the tea workers. When they were eagerly waiting for it, the government took a decision to hike it but by a meagre Rs 50. And now, the matter has reached the court. The BJP has done a gross injustice to the workers,” Gowala said.

He also slammed the Congress for ignoring this long-standing demand from 2001-2016 when the party was in power. He asked the Congress to introspect why the tea votes substantially shifted to the BJP.

The AATTSA has called for a bandh across tea gardens on March 22 protesting “exploitation” by their owners.

“They (owners) had made a record profit in 2020 during the months of the pandemic as the demand of Assam tea had gone up globally. And now to say that they cannot give daily wage of Rs 217 is not fair,” Gowala added.

Assam has 126 Assembly segments and over 800 tea gardens. The votes of around 7.5 lakh tea workers determine the fate of candidates in around one/third of the seats.

By Express News Service
GUWAHATI: The Congress’s “Job Guarantee Programme” for the youth is getting a good response.The party on Friday said over 70,000 youth had registered on its campaign website.Announced by party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during her recent Assam poll campaign, the Congress had on Thursday launched its “five-guarantee campaign”.Apart from five lakh jobs in five years, the other guarantees are bringing in a law to nullify the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, raising the daily wage of tea workers to Rs 365, free electricity up to 200 units per household and Rs 2,000 monthly income support to all housewives.The Congress claimed people accepted its vision of progress as evident from the staggering number of applications secured for guaranteed government employment.

ALSO READ | Will make Assam govt party to case against CAA in SC if voted to power, says Gaurav Gogoi

State Congress chief Ripun Bora said, “Assam is on its way to fulfill its dreams of a progressive future with its youngsters showing immense support for Congress’s Job Guarantee Programme, for which 70k plus guarantees have already been given out.”Congress Legislature Party Leader Debabrata Saikia said, “70,000 plus guarantees have crossed already! This shows Assam’s faith in Congress’s people-centric vision with the youth waiting for the party to come to power for the realisation of their aspirations.”The chairman of the party’s election campaign committee, Pradyut Bordoloi said, “Over 70,000 guarantees since the launch of the registration of Congress’s Job Guarantee Programme are indicative of the progressive vision that the Congress has for Assam.”Lok Sabha member, Gaurav Gogoi said the Congress was focused on charting progressive growth for Assam and opening paths for the youth to fulfill their dreams. Over 70k guarantees are indicative of better days when Congress comes to power in Assam soon, he said.The Congress’s “Save Assam” official social media handle too took to memorialize the huge number of registrations, stating “70k plus guarantees and counting! A testament of Assam’s faith and trust in the Congress party’s ideology! Our Job Guarantee Programme is the new lease of hope for the youth of the state.”

Express News Service
GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court’s stay on the enhanced daily wage to tea garden workers has handed the opposition parties enough ammo to fire at the state’s ruling BJP.

On February 23, the government had hiked the daily wage by Rs 50 – from Rs 167 to Rs 217 – ostensibly to warm up to the tea community ahead of Assembly elections.

However, the Gauhati High Court had on Monday ordered the government not to take any action against the Indian Tea Association and 17 tea companies, which own nearly 90% of the state’s over 800 gardens, until a case, filed challenging the Assam Labour Department’s notification on the wage hike, is disposed of.

As the poll campaign heats up, the focus of the political parties has been more on the tea garden votes. Assam has 126 Assembly segments and in around one/third of them, the votes of tea workers determine the fate of candidates.

The opposition parties are trying to capitalise on the court order. The Congress described the hike as a “poll gimmick”.

ALSO READ | Assam polls: Former MLA hospitalised after nomination gets rejected

“The BJP had not followed proper official procedure required for raising the daily wage of tea workers as per the Daily Wage Act mentioned in the order…It is mentioned that no committees or sub-committees were formed. Hence, if they were sincere in implementing it, just by bringing out a notification is not enough. They should have followed all proper procedures required for implementation,” Congress leader Bobeeta Sarma said.

The newly-floated Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) accused the BJP of hoodwinking the workers.

“In the first place, why did they (BJP) go for a meagre hike? The enhanced wage should have been Rs 351. They promised it (in their Vision Document of 2016),” AJP leader Jagadish Bhuyan said.

“The government itself gave the scope to challenge the matter in the court. They had no idea the stay will he ordered so soon. They thought it will happen after the elections are over. The workers have been cheated. The hike was an election gimmick,” he added.

The BJP is not worried. It is confident that the court’s order is not going to affect the party’s poll prospects.

“This will not affect us. If there were technical mistakes, we will rectify them after retaining power. No party has done as much for the tea community as the BJP has done,” the party’s state unit chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass said.