Gogoi slams PM for not taking NE CMs to Bangladesh

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, June 7: Expressing strong resentment over exclusion of chief ministers of northeastern states from Prime Minister rendra Modi's Bangladesh entourage, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Sunday said it was contrary to the spirit of cooperative federalism. "The action implied as if neighbouring northeast states have no role to play in improving relationship between India and Bangladesh," Gogoi said, adding that the move was "contrary to the spirit of cooperative federalism".

In a statement here, the chief minister said he has urged the prime minister to take up the issues of cross border infiltration and other related matters with the Bangladeshi leadership during his two-day visit.

Meanwhile, AGP general secretary Ramendra rayan Kalita rued that like his predecessors, Prime Minister Modi also did not take up the issue of illegal migration with the Bangladesh leadership.

"The Congress had betrayed Assam and now the BJP too is continuing the legacy," he said.

Kalita further resented that it was only Assam which lost land in the boundary protocol with the neighbouring country and all other states - West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalaya - gained in the deal.

On the Dhaka-Guwahati bus service, the AGP said it will only open a new rote for further immigration.