Congress, BJP show of strength before impending Assembly poll

Samaguri (Assam), Nov 14: The bugle for next year's Assembly election in Assam was sounded today by the ruling Congress and opposition BJP at Samaguri constituency in Nagaon district with a show of strength by both.

Samaguri became the battle ground for the two parties with the BJP trying to throw a challenge to the Congress which will attempt to retain power for the fourth consecutive term.

Thousands of people attended the public meetings of the two parties - BJP at Bheleuguri and Congress at Samaguri Higher Secondary School field under the Samaguri constituency.

The BJP meeting christened 'Jana Jagriti Samabesh' was addressed by its state president Sidhartha Bhattacharjyya, MPs Bijoya Chakraborty, Rajen Gohain and R P Sharma, Assam Pravari Dr Mohendra Singh and recently joined former Congress minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, among others.

Addressing the rally, newly inducted Himanta criticised his former party Congress and their 15-year rule in the state stating the people of Assam are waiting for a change in 2016.

Asserting that there was no development in the chief minister's home constituency Titabor, Sharma wondered how the people of Assam can hope for development.

Claiming that "the days of politics of yarn and blanket is over", Sarma challenged his one-time Congress close associate Rockybul to come to Samaguri after promulgation of the Model Code of Conduct. He also warned Rockybul and Congress workers not to harass BJP activists.

Exuding confidence that there will be a BJP-led Government in the state in 2016, Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal exhorted the people to vote for BJP for change and development in Assam.

On the other hand at the unity rally of the Congress, Rockybul Hussain criticised the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for the rising prices of essential commodities. Hussain also criticised the Modi Government for stopping the supply of rice through the public distribution centres to workers in tea estates. The minister said,

"The people should embrace secular forces from Assam to Bengal to Kerela to form a secular government at the Centre under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi". He also appealed to Congress workers to keep in touch with the people at the grass root level. Former Ministers Ripun Bora, Dr Ardhendu Kumar Dey, Pawan Singh Ghatowar and other Congress leaders also addressed the rally.

PTI