Can team up with Gogoi if he joins regional forces: Prafulla Kumar Mahanta

GUWAHATI: Former State Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has said that the development of the State is not possible without active regional forces. Reacting to former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's call to join the proposed third front, Mahanta said that he is ready to team up with Gogoi if he gives up national politics to embrace regional forces.

Addressing the media here on Thursday, Mahanta said, "Regional forces did form the government twice at Dispur."

When asked on former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi's call to him to join the proposed third front to topple the BJP in the State, Mahanta said, "I can team up with Gogoi if he gives up national politics and joins regional forces. Active regional forces are a must for the development of the State."

The public relations drive of the BJP is underway in the State. When asked on the BJP invading the AGP's bastions through its public relations drives, Mahanta said, "It's quite natural that bigger fish feed on the smaller ones. There's nothing to worry about. I've cautioned the party leaders of this long back."

When asked on the unification of the regional forces in the State, Mahanta said, "Bringing the regional forces under one platform is at the preliminary stage. It's too early to make comment on that now."

A team led by Mahanta visited the Baghjan oil well blowout site on June 16. He visited the blast site, the affected areas, besides the relief camps. He also held talks with the OIL authorities.

Mahanta said, "OIL should be equipped with a scientific technology that can let it know the possibility of such catastrophe in advance. Japan has technology that can predict eruption of volcano in advance."

Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 18th June, 2020