Congress alleges BJP of misleading people on Assam's flood solution

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GUWAHATI:

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, on Friday, accused the incumbent BJP government of once again misleading the people of Assam before an election by promising to solve the flood problem in Assam, if they remain in power, in the next five years.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to the state on Thursday, pledged to make the state flood-free in the next five years.

"But how will people believe (the) BJP again? The BJP leaders have promised much on mitigating floods in Assam but delivered nothing. All of them have been deceiving the people," Congress' campaign committee chairman Pradyut Bordoloi said.

Pointing out that the Prime Minister had, in 2017, announced an assistance of Rs 2,650 crore for the Northeast, Bordoloi said, "The funds announced have not been released in the subsequent years."

"An amount of Rs 400 crore was to be utilised for preventive measures against river erosion in Assam while Rs 250 crore was to be released immediately to Assam to help the state start relief and rehabilitation work," he said.

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"Besides, another Rs 100 crore was allocated to form a high-powered committee to conduct a study on the behaviour of the Brahmaputra river. But the promises have not been delivered so far. So if the Prime Minister does not live up to his commitment, how can you believe the Union home minister?" Bordoloi asked.

The Congress leader further took on the ruling party for taking away the special status to Assam concerning the Central Government funding pattern that existed during the time of the Congress.

"But this government only believes in beneficiary-centric politics," he alleged.

Bordoloi also slammed the BJP stalwart for taking the "credit for making Assam peaceful and militancy-free," when the conflict resolution process and dialogue had started during the tenure of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi.

"Then why is the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act still in effect, and why has the State Government announced Assam a 'disturbed area' for another six months under AFSPA?" he questioned.

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Cong ready for poll battle

Asked about the Congress' Assembly poll prospects, Bordoloi, a Lok Sabha MP from Nagaon, asserted that the "Congress has strong roots that go deep inside the earth.

"We are fully ready for the polls, having already met people in their homes and being with the people," says Bordoloi.

"We want to save Assam from the incumbent government that has failed to adhere to people-friendly policies," he added.

The Congress leader hinted that the doors of the Mahajoot (Grand alliance) were always open for the Hagrama Mohilary-led Bodoland People's Front (BPF), provided the party aligned with its common minimum programme.

"We are six parties in the Grand Alliance, and the alliance is open-ended for one or two more like-minded parties, including the two newly formed regional parties, to join and unite to defeat the BJP in the coming Assembly elections," Bordoloi added.

(Edited by Ladiangti Rani)

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