Gogoi: Governor working like RSS pracharak

From a Correspondent

New Delhi, Oct 30: Accusing Governor PB Acharya of "political

vendetta" against the Congress government in the State, Chief Minister

Tarun Gogoi on Friday said that his actions and statements resembled

that of an RSS pracharak.

Referring to Acharya’s statement on the deplorable condition of the

State roads, Gogoi asked why hasn’t the Governor taken up the issue with

the Centre.

"He is Governor of galand but got additiol charge for Assam. He

is taking too much interest (in the State) only because elections are

due early next year," said Gogoi.

Gogoi said the "saffron brigade is working hand in glove with

extremist organisatons", but he refused to elaborate his statement.

"BJP is more harmful than the AIUDF," he asserted.

Interestingly, Gogoi took a U–turn on his statement on a "grand

alliance" and said that he only meant that parties will have to fight

together to defeat the commul forces.

"It’s true that AIUDF (Badruddin Ajmal) met me on two occasions

recently but we did not discuss anything political. The meetings were on

other issues," said Gogoi adding "we will not come to any pre–poll

alliance with anybody. But our door is open," he said.

Addressing a press conference here in New Delhi on Friday, Gogoi dwelt on several issues.

Gogoi also took a dig at his former lieutent Himanta Biswa Sarma.

"One of the BJP leaders told me that they have got the cancer on their

side…and the Congress is cancer–free now," said Gogoi.  

He also criticized the Centre for not releasing adequate funds for

the State. "We are yet to get Rs 1,200 crore for flood, erosion and

others…while the DoNER Ministry is yet to release Rs 9,000 crore," said

Gogoi asserting that the State has been economically affected due to the

non–release of the funds.

The Chief Minister has also criticized Union Fince Minister Arun

Jaitley for his statement that "era of special status is gone."

"The backward and underdeveloped states still need attention," Gogoi added.