From Our Special Correspondent
GUWAHATI: The ruling BJP in Assam fired another salvo at Opposition Congress and took a dig at ally AGP, on the last day of campaigning for the first phase of panchayat elections, urging people to vote for the saffron party for a “Congress-free” and “corruption-free Assam.”
Addressing reporters here on Monday, state party spokesperson, Mominul Awal claimed that the BJP government in the state has taken decisions in the interests of the people, “something which has triggered other parties to become panicky” ahead of the polls.
“People of Assam can judge what is right and wrong. They have not forgotten the corruption that prevailed during the terms of the previous governments. On the other hand, the BJP-led government under Sarbananda Sonowal has shown concern for the political rights, economic and social security of the people,” Awal asserted.
The panchayat elections will be held in two phases on December 5 and December 9 across 26 districts of the state.
Of late, allies BJP and AGP have had a strained relationship after the decision of the parties to contest the polls alone, with leaders of the ruling party not leaving stones unturned to take potshots at its ally while the latter has threatened to part ways.
“Two parties are jittery today. Congress is one that hinges on the votes of people from the Muslim community, which is why it had allowed Bangladeshis to come to state earlier. For them, Muslims are like a fixed deposit in terms of votes. However, let me remind you that under the present dispensation, Muslims of the state have felt a sense of security,” he claimed.
“Therefore, people must be wary of what the Congress is trying to do during the poll campaign,” he added.
Awal further belittled AGP by alleging that the erstwhile Prafulla Mahanta government could not take decisions in the interest of the people despite being in power for two terms.
The BJP spokesperson further said that through the panchayat election, the party wasnted to ensure a corruption-free panchayat where 100 per cent funds are utilised for people’s welfare.
Asked if there was concern among the party top brass ahead of the polls, with leaders upping the party promotion ante, Awal said that in the run-up to the elections, it was but obvious for any party to campaign hard with an eye on winning the polls.
Party leaders, including the chief minister, had used choppers to address rallies across the state.
The party however did not disclose the expenditure incurred on the campaigns so far, saying that the accounts would be made public later. “We have a core committee that discusses with the finance department and takes decisions on the budget for the poll campaign,” he added.
Meanwhile, after days of hectic electioneering, the campaigning for the first phase (December 5) polls came to an end on Monday afternoon.
