Gogoi hits back at Heptulla

By Our Staff Reporter
Guwahati, Jan 30: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has termed as "baseless and politically motivated" Union Minority Affairs Minister Dr. jma Heptulla's statement that the State Government has not done anything for the development of minorities in its 15 years of rule in the State.  "The State Government for the last 15 years has been working for the development of all sections of the people including minorities for their all round development and the State Government is committed to work for the progress of all including minorities," Gogoi said. "If the Centre was so concerned for the development of minorities then why has it not released any special funds for flood and erosion magement which have affected the people living in the char areas the most," he said, adding that when the State was reeling under floods last year, neither the Prime Minister nor any other responsible Central minister visited the State to take stock of the situation and the plight of the affected people.  Gogoi said Heptulla was now "shedding crocodile tears" because intolerance is on the rise after the NDA government came to power.