Calls Rahul’s remark on Ordinance ‘childish’
Guwahati: Assam’s main regional political party, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has taken up an initiative to unite regional forces, especially in the northeast of the country, and called a meeting for the purpose, the party president said on Monday.
The AGP has called a convention of all regional political parties Oct 20-21 in Guwahati. Regional parties from across the country are set to attend the convention.
Informing reporters of the move at the party headquarters in Guwahati Monday, AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has agreed to attend the convention.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who represents the Nagaland People’s Party (NPP), has also consented to participate.
Mahanta urged all organisations and individuals who want to work for greater coherence between regional parties to join the AGP effort, and said that only regional parties can bring in proper development to neglected regions like the northeast.
“All the indigenous people who want to work for strengthening regional parties and for the future of the people should come and join the AGP. Even those who have been staying away from the party for various reasons should come forward to be a part of it, to carry forward our mission,” Mahanta said.
“Only regional forces can safeguard the people of the state and the region. Keeping that in mind, we have invited several top leaders of regional parties of northeast and other parts of the country to the convention, beginning Oct 20,” he said.
The Asom Gana Parishad also termed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s controversial statement denouncing the Ordinance to protect convicted lawmakers as “childish”.
“It is a childish remark by Rahul. He is a senior leader in Congress. Rahul and the prime minister are from the same party. There were many scopes to discuss among them earlier,” AGP President Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said in a press conference here.
Talking about giving chances to lawmakers having cases registered against them, Mahanta said the party was against allowing convicted persons to contest election.
“Regarding the accused, it may be a different case. Many times, cases are politically motivated and are framed,” Mahanta said giving examples of cases against political leaders during the emergency.
Emphasising the importance of regional parties in the country, he said AGP was discussing various possibilities with many regional parties across the country.
“We are holding a meeting of the regional parties on October 20 in Guwahati.” Telugu Desam Party leader N Chandrababu Naidu and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio would attend it, he said. (Agencies)