- CM addresses Vijay Sankalp Sabhas in two council constituencies of Kokrajhar
Kokrajhar (Assam), 19 August (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday continued his campaign to secure power in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). He addressed two “Vijay Sankalp Sabhas” at Kachugaon and Saraibil in Kokrajhar district, the administrative capital of Bodoland.
Accompanied by Minister Ashok Singhal, district BJP president Gosai Basumatary and other leaders, the CM said that BJP will win both the Kachugaon and Saraibil council constituencies. “BJP is number one in BTR. I have been attending several council meetings across BTR and the people want change,” he asserted.
Attacking the Village Council Development Committees (VCDC), the CM remarked, “The big fish eats the small fish here. The dalali (brokerage) of VCDCs will not continue in Bodoland. If you want change in BTR, vote for BJP. Only a triple-engine government can solve your problems.”
Highlighting BJP’s role in restoring peace, Sarma said, “Not a single bullet has been fired in Bodoland since I became Chief Minister. Earlier, voters were threatened at gunpoint. Now, leaders have to humbly seek votes.” He further said that BJP will contest only on the seats it can win. “So far, I have held meetings in 36 council constituencies. We now know which seats BJP will contest and win,” he told media.
The CM also criticized the past 22 years of BTC governance, stating that several areas are still deprived of schools, roads and government schemes. He alleged that beneficiaries cannot avail of schemes like Arunodoi or housing benefits without recommendations from VCDCs.
Announcing a series of developmental projects, Sarma promised roads, bridges, a stadium, flood control measures on Gorukhutia river and new facilities for temples in Kachugaon. Supporting the demand of citizens in Gosaigaon, he assured that train stoppages at Gosaigaon Railway Station would be arranged before the next Assembly elections.
On the issue of VCDCs, Sarma clarified that their future will be decided by the government that comes to power in BTR. “BJP is not anyone’s enemy. The massive crowd at today’s rallies shows BJP’s growing strength in Bodoland,” he said.
The CM also assured to increase compensation for victims of the 1996 and 1998 ethnic clashes and promised proper rehabilitation measures soon. Referring to the recent incident of a newborn’s death at Gauhati Medical College, Sarma took full responsibility for the matter.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
