'Congress' losing streak makes Dispur defer DAC polls

‘The poll losing streak of the ruling Congress in Assam has made the party-led government at Dispur to postpone the DAC polls. Though various Deori organizations had informed the State Election Commission well ahead of time, the government wants not to hold the DAC polls on the pretext of cash crunch.’ — Manjit Deori 

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 11: The tenure of the Deori Autonomous Council (DAC) expired today. However, shattered by the poll losing streak, a number of Deori organizations alleged, the ruling Congress is reluctant to hold the elections now.

In accordance with rules, the elections of the DAC should have been conducted by the State Election Commission (SEC) well ahead of expiry of its terms so as to ensure handing over of charge by the existing council to the new one on time. However, according to Deori Jajati Sixth Schedule Demand Committee (DJSSDC) adviser Dr. Muhi Chandra Deori and assistant secretary Pranjan Deori, for ulterior motive the ruling Congress in the State has not allowed that to happen. "It's now certain that the DAC polls will be delayed, a fact that doesn't augur well for the Deori community," they said.

DJSSDC president Manjit Deori said: "The poll losing streak of the ruling Congress in Assam has made the party-led government at Dispur to postpone the DAC polls. Though various Deori organizations had informed the State Election Commission well ahead of time, the government wants not to hold the DAC polls on the pretext of cash crunch."

DJSSDC adviser Muhichandra Deori also said: "The reason behind postponing the DAC poll is to get rid of another defeat by the Congress before the Assembly elections in the State in 2016. The government can't take such an undemocratic step, and this is condemble. We oppose this step of the government, and appeal to all Deoris to raise their voice against the ruling Congress in the State."

It may be mentioned here that there are three autonomous councils in the State, and they are the Deori Autonomous Council (DAC), the Tiwa Autonomous Council (TAC) and the Thengal Kachari Autonomous Council (TKAC). When the State Government says that cash crunch prevents it from holding the DAC polls on time, there is all likelihood that Dispur may take such a stance in the elections of TAC and TKAC also.

While the DAC has 18 seats, the TAC has 44 and the TKAC has 34 seats, and all the three autonomous councils have been formed by the Congress.