GUWAHATI, Feb 19: Congress MP and chairperson of the screening committee of Assam Congress, Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday released a 20-point “chargesheet” ahead of the Assembly elections, levelling major allegations against the BJP-led government in the state.
The 20-point “chargesheet” alleges that the BJP-led government has institutionalised a syndicate operating from Dispur; encouraged illegal activities such as rat-hole mining; facilitated illegal trade and smuggling corridors; allowed large-scale commission-based syndicate operations involving timber, sand, stone, coal, iron, Burmese betel nut and other goods; and established parallel commission mechanisms in government projects, transfers, postings and tenders.
Party sources said the “charge-sheet” has been prepared by the chargesheet drafting committee, chaired by MP Pradyut Bordoloi, on the basis of public grievances.
The ‘chargesheet’ also accuses the government of corruption, repeated borrowings despite CAG warnings, failure to grant Scheduled Tribe status to six communities, alleged land transfers to corporate interests at the cost of indigenous people, neglect of the Assam Accord and Clause 6 implementation, halting of the NRC process, and a Rs 1,600 crore scam in the name of NRC (National Register of Citizens).
Other allegations include misuse of bulldozer actions, suppression of media freedom, failure to fulfil wage promises to tea workers, environmental degradation, illegal and unscientific rat-hole mining, failure to generate new employment, ignoring the drug menace, fostering a climate of fear through encounters, poor urban planning, failure to secure national disaster status for floods and erosion, weakening of public education, and inadequate healthcare services.
Earlier, the Congress MP arrived here on a two-day visit, accompanied by Karnataka deputy chief minister and Assam election observer D.K. Shivakumar, and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.
The visiting delegation was welcomed at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly Debabrata Saikia, and other senior party leaders.
Soon after their arrival, the delegation proceeded to the sacred Kamakhya Temple to offer prayers before heading to Rajiv Bhawan.
Gandhi participated in a meeting of the political affairs department regarding the forthcoming Assembly elections. She also held discussions with members of the screening committee, who had been touring various constituencies across Assam and interacting with grassroots workers to gather feedback.
Subsequently, she attended a review meeting with the vice presidents, general secretaries, joint secretaries, and secretaries of the APCC at the Manobendra Sarma complex here. Addressing the gathering, the Congress leader called upon all party members to unite with resolve to bring about a change of government in Assam.
Interacting with mediapersons later, the Congress MP remarked that during elections, it is common for some leaders to switch parties. “We will contest unitedly and strongly. We consider this election a battle. We have many warriors, and we will win. Over the next two days, we will continue consultations to ensure proper ticket distribution and contest the elections in a strong and organised manner,” she said.
