Congress played family politics since country's independence: Himanta

Himanta campaigns in West Karbi Anglong, dismisses beef controversy

 From a Correspondent

Donkamokam, June 12: With only a couple of days left for the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) election, on Monday State Education and Fince Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived at Satgaon in West Karbi Anglong to campaign for Horensing Bey and CEM Tuliram Ronghang, BJP candidates for No. 5 Rongkhang and No. 6 Bithung Rengthama MAC constituencies respectively.

While campaigning for them, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said ASDC leader and former MP Dr Jayanta Rongpi played politics of hatred and killing for 15 years without any development for the hills district while Congress leaders of Karbi Anglong like Birensing Engti and Khorsing Engti (both brothers) did politics only for development of their own family for 15 years but not for the interest of the common people.

Slamming ASDC leader and present HSDC leader Dr Jayanta Rongpi, he said, “His autonomous state issue remained only in his rubber plantation and accumulating wealth, but not for people.”

Sarma added, “Congress played family politics since our country’s independence. Other than Gandhi family, no one was allowed to lead. Similarly here in Karbi Anglong also, other than Birensing Khorsing’s family no outsider was allowed to lead. Only their family and close relatives became EMs, CEMs and developed their family. Even jobs, service, and contract works were all awarded to their near and dear ones while the rest of the common people suffered.”

“In this council election also, from 26 of the candidates declared by Congress, 14 are from Birensing Khorsing’s family. But now our people are conscious enough and that is why Gandhi family of Delhi and here in Karbi Anglong, Birensing and Khorsing Engti’s family was rejected by the common people,” Sarma further said.

 “But in BJP there is no family-centric politics. Our agenda is all-round development of the district.  After Council election, 3,000 posts of teachers in the hills district which are lying vacant will be filled and B. Ed will not be compulsory for tribals within three months,” he said.

Regarding medical aid, he said that blood test, X-Ray and CT-scan would be made available in all hospitals free of cost.   He also assured of constructing nursing college in West Karbi Anglong and providing Scooty to top 300 girls who excel in the HS exam from the hills district.

 Regarding beef controversy, he said that there was no such agenda by the Government. “All are free here to eat and drink what they want. Here in Assam all are free to follow their religion and culture and there is no obstacle in it,” said the minister.

Moran LAC MLA Chakrodhar Gogoi in his speech said that Congress failed to bring in development in Karbi Anglong in 15 years.  Local MLA Dr Mansing Rongpi also addressed the gathering.  Presided over by Dinen Bordoloi, the meeting was also attended by Dilip Saikia, State BJP general secretary, candidate of Rongkhang MAC constituency, Horensing Bey and others.