AGP(P) accuses Govt of blackmailing

Guwahati, Jun 9 (UNI) The Asom Gana Parishad(Progressive) today accused the Congress-led state government of resorting to blackmailing tactics to suppress the ''genuine remonstrance'' launched by the party against the government's overall failure.

A day after the government spokesperson Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated that the government may consider reopening of charges in connection with the letter-of-credit scam in the veterinary department against former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, AGP(P) vice-president Gunin Hazarika told at a press conference here, ''The government is resorting to blackmailing to key down Mahanta.'' Mr Mahanta, currently in New Delhi, had recently urged for the Centre's attention, demanding President's Rule in the state due to in violence.

''That Mahanta is on job to highlight the failure of the state government on various fronts, especially insurgency, has frustrated the government. In order to key him down, the government has started to blackmail him, threatening to reopen a shut case,'' Mr Hazarika said.

Alluding to the killings and violence in the tenure of Congress rule, he said it was clear from the incidents that the government had been inefficient.

''It even failed to provide security to its own leaders, as was the case in North Cachar Hills where as many as three of its leaders were gunned down by rebels, the AGP(P) said.

Rubbishing the government claim that Mahanta was hand-in-glove with a section of traders, Mr Hazarika sought to know whether it was, a crime to seek constitutional safeguard through democratic means?'' The party accused the government of trying to hide its failure and desperately seeking to overpower any leader or organization who tried to point fingers.

Two days back, Mr Mahanta had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Home Affairs Minister Shivraj Patil alleging the 'collapse of the administration in Asom'.

Mentioning the series of incidents of violence, killings and blasts, the chief minister had demanded that the Centre should act as per Article 355 of the Indian Constitution to restore peace and normalcy in the state.

Reacting to this, two of Asom government's spokespersons yesterday went hammer-and-tongs against the AGP(P) president, saying ''those who live in glass houses should no throw stones at others.'' The government might reopen the charges against him in the multi-crore veterinary scam if such a situation arises,they said adding that Mahanta was in cahoots with a section of traders who were demanding president's rule in the state and trying to destabilize the peace and economy of the state.'' Reiterating its demand for considering implementation of Article 355 in Asom, the AGP(P) also raked up the SIM card controversy, involving Congress leaders and the ULFA, and demanding an impartial probe into it.

UNI