Congress likely to field new face at Bokajan in Assembly polls

From a Correspondent

Bokajan, February 17: With the State heading for the most interesting electoral battle, the Congress party which has won three consecutive elections is in a fix and likely to change its party candidate in 17 Bokajan legislative assembly constituency owing to the recent Ja Jagaran Sabha that turned into a flop show in Bokajan with very sparse audience gathered to witness public figure Klengdun Ingti early this month.

APCC had organized this Ja Jagaran Sabha in all the 126 constituencies all over the State to consolidate its credence amongst the people ahead of the State assembly elections.

Sources in the party said that the high command is reviewing the candidature of Klengdun Ingti as the later has failed to gain the confidence of the people which was evident in the Ja Jagaran Sabha held at Sarhiajan LP school playground. Sources added that APCC would consider the candidature of Klengdun Ingti, considering the fact that he is the sitting MLA and the son of MP Biren Sing Ingti, a veteran Congress leader of the State.

Politics has never been an easy affair where ethnic demands are meshed with anxiety over land and livelihood. The fear of being swamped by outsiders, language chauvinism and the bitter legacy of multiple insurgencies cannot be ruled out.

Sources in the Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee said that the candidate would be selected in accordance with the members of Congress-domited KAAC. Party workers hint a possible rivalry and speculations are rife that there might be a poll understanding between KAAC and BJP as a delegation lead by CEM Tuliram Ronghang accompanied by five other EMs and some leaders of Karbi outfit KLNLF met Prime Minister rendra Modi at his official residence in 7 Race Course Road, New Delhi last month.

Ronghang through a memorandum to the Prime Minister demanded scrapping of Clause 8 of BLT Accord with the Government of India and the Government of Assam. The CEM also reiterated the claim of a separate state comprising Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam, granting direct central funding to KAAC and handing over all resources of the hill district under the command of KAAC. The CEM also pressed for the long-stranded settlement with KLNLF and implementation of MoU and MoS for a peaceful and permanent solution.