Guwahati, May 11: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday said that the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the state must prioritise public welfare and address the issue of women’s safety, a day ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister-designate Himanta Biswa Sarma. Addressing reporters in Guwahati, Gogoi said the people of Assam had placed their trust in the new government and expected it to fulfil the promises made during the Assembly election campaign.
“In a democracy, the interests of the people are paramount. The government must work to meet the expectations and aspirations of the people of Assam,” the Congress leader said. Gogoi particularly highlighted concerns about women’s security, stating that despite women voters supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party in large numbers, safety issues remain a major challenge in the state.
“The women of Assam have voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party, but women’s security remains a critical issue in the state,” he said. He also urged Assam Police to focus on maintaining law and order and safeguarding citizens, rather than allegedly functioning with political bias. “I hope Assam Police, instead of acting as agents of the Bharatiya Janata Party, will now be strictly directed to focus on ensuring the security and safety of women and the public,” Gogoi added.
His remarks came ahead of Himanta Biswa Sarma’s oath-taking ceremony scheduled to be held on Tuesday at the Veterinary College Field in Khanapara in the presence of several top National Democratic Alliance leaders. Earlier in the day, Sarma said the new government’s immediate focus would be on implementing commitments made in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election manifesto. He stated that the first Cabinet meeting would take place soon after the swearing-in ceremony.
“Implementation of the manifesto promises will be our primary objective,” Sarma told reporters. According to officials, PM Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party president J.P. Nadda, and Chief Ministers from several National Democratic Alliance-ruled states are expected to attend the swearing-in event in Guwahati. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance registered a sweeping victory in the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections, securing 102 seats in the 126-member Assembly. The Bharatiya Janata Party won 82 seats, while allies Asom Gana Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front secured 10 seats each.
IANS
