Sushmita flays BJP's mass contact programme

Our Correspondent

Silchar, July 1: BJP's 'mass contact programme' will only be fruitful when the party reaches out to the underprivileged, impoverished, poor and downtrodden. There is no point in visiting the houses of well-to-do, renowned and famous persons who form the creamy layer of the society. This is a tactic used by the party to divert the attention of the people from burning issues and problems from which they have been suffering for a long time. This was pointed out by MP Sushmita Dev in a tete-a-tete with mediapersons at Cachar Club in Silchar on Sunday afternoon.

"The Prime Minister, President, leader and workers of BJP should address the problems of 'D' voters, rape victims and victims of all other kinds. There is no point in visiting houses of people who are going on well. Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam, is more spiritual than political in his outlook and attitude. We do not want a CM who sermonizes and does nothing concrete to solve and address the burning issues and nagging problems which have plagued the state of Assam. He is yet to clear his stand of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016. The fate of Hindu Bengalis of Assam lurks in the dark," the MP added to say.

"In addition to this," continued the MP, "Government has failed to create job opportunities. Farmers are committing suicide. BJP leaders and workers should visit their houses. The saffron party is just diverting people from the stark and harsh realities of life. The 'mass contact programme' is nothing short of a gimmick. Moreover, board gauge lines in Barak Valley, Barak Setu, Badri Setu and some other projects were already in the pipeline. It was not new and was not started afresh by them. Development is an ongoing process and no single party can claim credits for it."

"Our country is in crisis and the ruling government should pull the country out from it. Tarun Gogoi was the first Chief Minister of Assam to give a full package for the development of Barak Valley. None sees what Congress is doing or has done. We do not hanker after publicity. At present, the people of Barak Valley are passing days in fear. I fear that names of a large number of people will be left out from the final draft list of NRC," said Sushmita Dev. She strongly reacted to the statement of ex ULFA leader Jiten Dutta and said that he should be arrested immediately for making such a provocative and threatening statement at a public meeting.

The MP expressed hope and said that the coming 2019 elections would be favourable for her and her party. "BJP is over confident and arrogant in its attitude. I am hopeful and confident that I will be given another chance to serve the people," said Sushmita Dev.