GUWAHATI: Congress functionary Rahul Gandhi promised on Tuesday, the last day of campaigning for Assam’s second phase of elections (39 constituencies), that if voted to power a Congress-led government would implement Article 244(A), which provides for the creation of autonomous states in the two poll-bound tribal hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
After three rallies — in Silchar, Haflong and Bokajan — were cancelled due to bad weather, Rahul sent out a video message in which he said, “BJP is attacking the culture and traditions of hill tribes by withdrawing Article 244(A). The upcoming Congress government will ensure that Article 244(A) is not diluted and all its clauses are implemented to protect the interests of the indigenous people.”
Rahul’s poll promise has rekindled fears of further fragmentation of a state where indigenous inhabitants have been demanding autonomous states for decades. There are also fears that similar demands might be raised in other parts of the state inhabited by numerous indigenous tribes as well in other northeastern states. These two districts are administered under the Sixth Schedule as autonomous councils provided for under Article 244 as well as in Bodoland Territorial Council in the plains.