BJP tried toppling game in Assam too, Governor was involved: Gogoi

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, March 29: Hitting out at the BJP for stooping to an all time low in the history of Indian democracy, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Tuesday accused the saffron party of murdering democracy. Gogoi also criticised the Prime Minister for leveling “baseless allegations” against the Congress government in the State.

Briefing a press conference at a hotel in the city, Gogoi said that the BJP tried its best to topple his government with the help of the Governor of the State, but failed in every attempt. “The BJP made all out efforts to topple the State government before the end of its term. They wasted a lot of money on it. They used the Governor against the government, as they did it in Uttarakhand and Aruchal Pradesh. However, they failed here. Now they have an eye on Manipur, another Congress ruled State.”

When asked if he is sure about the involvement of the Governor, Gogoi said, “Without the help or support of the Governor, such an exercise cannot be executed. He (Governor) was very much involved. The BJP tried to manipulate around 35 Congress MLAs. But they couldn’t succeed.”

Gogoi further questioned why the Centre has not appointed a permanent Governor, saying, “Assam is a crucial State. Why has not the Centre appointed a permanent Governor here?”

Accusing Prime Minister rendra Modi of leveling false allegations against the State government, Gogoi said, “In the last two election rallies in the State, Modi raised baseless allegations against my government. He said that in the last 15 years, the Congress has destroyed Assam. What is the basis of his charge?”

“The Prime Minister said that irregularities to the tune of Rs 1.8 lakh crores took place in the State. He said that the CAG has brought it out in its report. Whereas the fact is, in the last five years, I have not received a total amount of Rs 1.8 lakh crore from the Centre,” Gogoi said and questioned, “So, how can irregularity of such a huge magnitude take place?”

Further accusing Prime Minister Modi of misleading the people of the State, Gogoi said, “Modi said that in the next 14th Fince Commission, Assam will receive 148 per cent more sanctions compared to the previous Fince Commission. This is not a special package for Assam. It is for the all the States throughout the country. There is nothing special about it.”

“Why is he not uttering a single word on scrapping of the Special Status enjoyed by Assam and other Northeastern States?” Gogoi questioned.

Gogoi further said that by leveling baseless allegations, the Prime Minster has ‘stooped an all time low and lowered the dignity of the Prime Minister’s Office’. “I haven’t seen such a liar Prime Minister till date,” he said.

Stating that Modi has lost his charisma, Gogoi said that the Prime Minister is now targeting him as he has lost his popularity compared to that in 2014.