CPI leading left fight back

Sivsagar, Mar 31: The CPI is leading the left fight back to remain alive in Asom politics after being wiped out in the last Assembly poll for the first time since independence.

The CPI, a senior partner in the state compared to the CPI(M), is leading the charge trying to win at least three seats while the latter is giving a tough fight in two constituencies.

''For the left parties this election is very important. It is a question of survival of left ideology,'' said veteran CPI leader Pramode Gogoi, trying to win back the Sibsagar constituency from the Congress.

Even Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi admitted that it would be tough to stop the CPI this time in Sivsagar. ''The CPI has been winning the seat since 1962 and we were lucky to win it last time,'' Mr Gogoi said.

But for the left parties winning the Sivsagar seat is not only important but the main issue is to expand their shrinking base in the state. Today the CPI is in a winning position in Sivsagar, Nazira and Morigaon while the CPI(M) is giving a tough fight at Sorbhog and Naharkatia.

When the AGP shared an uneasy alliance with the BJP in the last Assembly poll, the left was deleted by the voters from Asom politics which caused lot of heartburn among the left parties.

Both parties worked tirelessly in their pockets to be in a strong position once again. In Nazira constituency, the regional headquarters of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission, former Rajya Sabha member Dhrupad Borgohain is giving a tough time to unseat Dr Hemopraba Saikia from the constituency, which the Saikia family has been holding since 1963.

''This time nobody can stop us,'' said Borgohain, buoyed by the AGP support he has been enjoying after a long gap.

Already the CPI(M) has been bringing in West Bengal leaders like Hannan Mollah for campaigning, but they are a little behind the CPI, which has better mass base.

The main opposition party, AGP, have thrown their weight behind the left parties to ensure that Congress candidates are kept at bay.

UNI