SHILLONG: AICC spokesperson and MP from Assam’s Kaliabor constituency Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday dared BJP leader Nalin Kohli to have a debate with him on development in the North East.
The challenge comes a day after the BJP national spokesperson asked Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to debate on development.
Speaking to journalists here on Thursday, Gogoi blamed BJP for “doing nothing for the northeastern states”.
“The BJP Government at the Centre removed the northeastern states from the special category list and even 90 per cent funding was stopped. It is only imposing their Hindutva culture on the North East. BJP should say it openly if they want beef ban in Meghalaya,” he said and added that the people of the State would vote “against the RSS culture” in 2018.
The Congress leader accused the BJP of inaugurating projects in the region which were sanctioned and funded by the UPA.
On the Congress spreading rumours about beef ban, Gogoi said even the saffron party spreads rumours about the Congress having infightings.
“It is the diversity of opinions and views in the Congress that makes the party strong,” said Gogoi.
However, he downplayed Himanta Biswa Sarma’s role in strengthening BJP in Assam and other parts of the region by saying, “In a democracy it is the people who are important not individuals.”
On Kohli’s ‘two Tughlaqs’ comment alluding to Mukul Sangma and Arvind Kejriwal, Gogoi said if there is any Muhammad bin Tughlaq in Meghalaya, it is the BJP. “It is welcoming those people in their party whom they once labelled as corrupt,” he added.
Gogoi also expressed concerns over external affairs saying while China is flexing muscles Russia is conducting joint military exercise with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Congress is preparing a blueprint in conjunction with the AICC and Meghalaya Congress for the 2018 Assembly elections.
