Infiltration issue, a political game: Tarun Gogoi

{image-tarun gogoi_14082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}tGuwahati, Aug 14: Each one has a say in the Assam's 'infiltration issue'. The issue is getting murkier with the Congress terming it a 'political gimmick', the BJP trying hard to play it as a communal card and the regional parties using it as an emotional political weapon. Sandwiched among three are about 30 per cent of Assam's population, many of whom are viewed by the majority as suspected Bangladeshis fighting a protracted legal battle to prove their innocence.

''This is nothing but political game which returns to haunt Assam politics before every election. Every Bangladeshi should go, but that does not mean that you are targeting one section because they are under-privileged,'' said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.

''But, his government is insincere and they are not serious about detection and deportation of Bangladeshis and using them as vote bank,'' said former Union Minister and BJP's national Vice-President Bijoya Chakarvarty.

Mr Gogoi said, ''They were in power but instead of deportation, the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee talked of work permit. The Congress does not need votes of Bangladeshis and I do not want to be a Chief Minister with their vote,'' he added.

However, the AGP is furious with Gogoi for passing negative remark about the judiciary.

''He should know as a Chief Minister how to treat the judiciary and not pass public remarks,'' said AGP leader Hiten Goswami.

Mr Gogoi had on Thursday, Aug 14 said that the recent judgment, which sparked off the issue, was sweeping and had dared the judge to substantiate it.

''It was a sweeping and provocative judgment,'' he had said refusing to move any petition seeking redressal.

This has angered the All Assam Student Union (AASU). ''The Chief Minister should respect the judiciary. They are embarrassed that the judiciary has exposed the episode. We will not stop here and take the matter to its logical conclusion,'' said AASU adviser Dr Samujjal Kr Bhattacharya.

He demanded early implementation of the Assam Accord.

UNI