Assam: Opposition stages stir, seeks funds to tackle deluge

By: Rokibuz Zaman
GUWAHATI: Opposition Congress, peasants' rights organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and the newly-formed regional political party, Regional People's Front, on Monday staged a three-hour demonstration in the Assam Assembly premises seeking release of pending funds for flood relief. They also sought bail for KMSS founder Akhil Gogoi, besides highlighting other issues.
The protest was organized by Debabrata Saikia, leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, and was attended by Lok Sabha MPs Gaurav Gogoi and Abdul Khaleque, Rajya Sabha member-elect and chief convenor of Regional People's Front (Anchalik Gana Morcha) Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, KMSS adviser HM Shahjahan, among others.
They highlighted issues like "vindictive incarceration" of KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi by the state Government, steep increase in the prices of essential commodities in the state and use of the Covid-19 pandemic for "political one-upmanship by the government".
Regarding Gogoi, Saikia said although the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had "failed to furnish any proof" so far, the BJP-led state government is accusing him in one case after another because of his resolute opposition to the "controversial CAA and other anti-Assam acts". "The BJP-led alliance came to power with a vote share of 41%. This means that 59% votes were casted against it. Despite this, the government is trying to forcibly prevent opponents from highlighting issues which are crucial for Assam. This exposes the BJP's fascist mindset and utter disregard for democracy," Saikia added. Barpeta MP Abdul Khaleque, too, said the treatment meted out to Akhil Gogoi has revealed the "dictatorial" nature of the state Government.
The leader of the opposition also pointed out that the Centre had not released any aid to Assam under the NDRF during the last 3 or 4 years. Saikia claimed the state government was trying to gain political mileage out of the situation.