Sushmita bats for better ties with Bangladesh

 Special correspondent

 SILCHAR, Jan 30:  Lok Sabha MP Sushmita Dev is for better ties with Bangladesh for pacing up the development of Barak Valley. She expressed her desire to invite Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasi to the valley and open the door of closer cooperation with her country. She also wished that Hasi should talk with the Chief Minister of Assam, Tarun Gogoi, and find out what measures or initiatives could be taken to build up infrastructure and most important connectivity.

There is a move to revive the old rail link through Mahisashan on the border of Karimganj. The existing waterways through Barak-Kushiara river which is presently operatiol can be made all weather and for that both the countries will have to take up positive steps. The MP has in her mind to take a delegation to Dhaka and meet Sheikh Hasi.

 Sushmita at the same time has her own vision for the development of Barak Valley and she plans to include it in the manifesto that she would like to make public on the eve of elections. This will be her sincere effort to take with her the confidence and support of the people. On the question of demand for separate Barak, she made her stand clear that the cry should come from the civil society. She at the same time clarified that she would continue to follow the ideals and principles of her father in politics and beyond that.

 On the media reports that there was cold war between her and Gautom Roy, minister and advisor to the Chief Minister, Sushmita Dev scoffed and termed it as rumour. There is no substance or basis in it. She however admitted how the MLA of Silchar, Dilip Kumar Paul, is standing in her efforts for development. She complained of noncooperation from him and she was fed up. She was not sure about the prospect of Dilip Kumar Paul in the next assembly elections, though he won the by-election of 2014 with a record number of votes.

 Sushmita commenting on the recent controversial statement of AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said this has only given advantage to BJP. Political alysts have dubbed the statement of Ajmal as highly divisive and commul. This will only lead to polarization of Hindu and Muslim votes, they have pointed out. The work on the completion of East-West Corridor has been stuck up on the 31 km stretch of the Highway due to non-clearance of the state government on the ground that it will disturb the very existence of the proposed Borail Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sushmita said after being cleared by the forest ministry of the state government, it has been sent to the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment. The latest information is that the matter is under the active consideration of a regiol committee concerned at Shillong. On the public perception that the popularity of rendra Modi, Prime Minister, is on wane, she admitted it and said if Assam is lost by BJP in the assembly elections, his attitude towards northeast will change.