It's official: Congress set to form NCHAC

Unidentified gunmen fire at CEM Niranjan Hojai's residence

Correspondent

Haflong, Jan 9: Ten BJP executive members of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council today formally joined the Congress, taking the strength of the party to 17 in the 30-member council.

Immediately after the joining, the Congress members led by Mihir Garlosa said they would soon meet the Governor and stake claim to form the council.

The Congress has projected Kulendra Daulagapu as its CEM candidate.

The ten BJP members - Fleming Rupsy Shylla, Mihir Garlosa, L Hlima Keivom, Athong Lienthang, Khawvelthang Hmar, Suangthangjen Hrangkhol, Hailamkambe Kuame, Laljoshua Baite, Paudaming Nriame and Denis Teron - joined the Congress at a function organized at Rajiv Bhavan today.

Daolagupu told The Sentinel that three more executive members will join the party soon. Mihir Gorlosa, who led the dissident members, said they took the decision due to "undue interference by State BJP leaders in the activities of the council."

"Even bills were passed without consulting us," he said.

Former Dima Hasao district BJP president and executive member Hamjan Langthasa said since the state BJP leaders took the credit of forming the council in October last by toppling the Congress, they should also take the responsibility of this recent political development in which BJP has now been reduced to minority.

He forecast a bleak future of the party in the district due to the "political hegemony by the state BJP leaders who have little knowledge of politics in Dima Hasao".

"Interference by State BJP leaders and ignoring senior local BJP leaders of Dima Hasao has boomeranged," he said, suggesting a change in party leadership in the district.

In October last, as many as 18 Congress executive members had joined the BJP and subsequently the 30-member council autonomous council was taken over by the saffron party with former rebel Niranjan Hojai as its Chief Executive Member.

Meanwhile, unknown gunmen opened fire targeting the residence of Chief Executive Member and former rebel leader Niranjan Hojai. There was minor damage to the residence, but no one was injured, Additiol Superintendent of Police Hoen Takbi said. The police is investigating the case.

Top Headlines

No stories found.
Sentinel Assam
www.sentinelassam.com