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JD(U) to contest in 15 seats
GUWAHATI, April 21: The Janata Dal (United) Assam state
unit has decided to field candidates for 15 Legislative Assembly
Constituencies (LACs) for the ensuing Assembly polls in the
State and finalised the names of nominees for these LACs.
Speaking to media persons here this afternoon, Ajoy Dutta,
general secretary of the party informed that the nominees for the
Sarbhog and Tinsukia LACs would be decided in a short time
due to some technical problems. [AT]
Anti-Gogoi slogans in Cong camp
GUWAHATI, April 21: Assam Pradesh Congress(I) president Tarun Gogoi today failed to appear in the
State Congress(I) headquarters Rajiv Bhawan here where he was scheduled to formally release the list
of Congress(I) nominees for the ensuing Assembly election at 2 pm. Hundreds of aspirants and their
supporters who were waiting for the arrival of Sri Gogoi at the Rajiv Bhawan since morning, had no way
left to them but to disperse disappointed in the late afternoon. Even the mobile phones of the State
Congress(I) leaders were switched off in the afternoon, while reporters making queries about the exact
time for the release of the list were also kept in suspense by the Rajiv Bhawan people responding to the
phone calls. But soon came to light the factors which made the APCC leadears apprehensive.
Supporters of some aspirants indulged in clashes with the supporters of their rivals in the Dispur Old
MLA Hostel complex in the afternoon. [AT]
16 women get nominations
AICC releases State Cong list
NEW DELHI, April 21: Former Chief Minister, Syeda Anwara Taimur, Hemaprabha Saikia, wife of the
late Hiteshwar Saikia and several former ministers of Assam figure in the list of 122-Congress
candidates for state Assembly polls released by the AICC today, reports PTI. Releasing the list at the
AICC headquarters here, party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters the party would be contesting
all the 126 Assembly seats in the state "on its own" and that the remaining five names would be
declared tomorrow. The last date for filing nomination in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and
Pondicherry is April 23. [AT]
Ultras may disrupt State polls : Army
GUWAHATI, April 21: Maj Gen AS Jamwal today said that the United Liberation Front of Asom
(ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Boroland (NDFB) might indulge in violence during the
Assembly elections. Talking to a group of reporters at Changsari, Jamwal further said that both the
militant groups have joined hands to launch joint operations in certain pockets of the State in the
Assembly election. Asked which were the pockets, he said : "according to reports, Bongaigaon and
some areas of Kokrajhar and Barpeta districts are sensitive". Jamwal revealed that security
arrangements have been beefed up in view of possible operation of the militant groups. When asked
how, despite intense pressure from security forces, the militant groups were operating, he dodged the
question saying militancy had been contained in Assam to a large extent. "We are getting help from the
people of the State in our fight against militancy", he informed. He also informed that the militant groups
have shifted their camps from Bhutan to other places. [AT]
301 candidates file nomination
GUWAHATI, April 21: Altogether 143 candidates filed their
nomination papers for the May 10 Assembly polls in the State
today taking the total number of candidates till date to 301, an
official release said. April 23 is the last date for filing of
nomination papers. [AT]
Panel discussion on Assam election
GUWAHATI, April 21: A panel discussion of 'Assam Election
2001 -- Security Perspective' would be telecast from
programme production centre (NE), Doordarshan Guwahati on
April 23, 2001 at 5-30 pm. Panelists of the discussion are -- GM
Seivastava, Addl. DGP (Operation), Assam, H N Das, former
chief secretary and Jaideep Saikia, press adviser to the
Government of Assam. Amit Kumar Nag, a senior journalist of
Assam will moderate the programme. [AT]
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Unhappy Congress workers in front of the official residence of one of its leaders,
Sarat Barkotoky, on April 21.
Asomiya Pratidin photo. |
10 paramilitary coys arrive in Jorhat dist for poll duty
JORHAT, April 21: The Jorhat district administration is
expecting eight more companies of paramilitary forces for
smooth conduct of the May 10 Assembly election even as ten
companies have already arrived, in keeping with its request for a
total of 18 additional companies, disclosed the Deputy
Commissioner Sri Ravi Shankar Prasad at a joint press meet
held at the Circuit House here on Wednesday evening, where the
Superintendent of Police Sri Pradip Chandra Saloi was also
present. [AT]
Asom Jatiya Sanmiloni N Guwahati unit formed
NORTH GUWAHATI, April 21: In a huge public meeting held
at the premises of the North Guwahati Girls' High School
recently with freedom fighter pensioner Sri Aboni Kanta Boruah
in the chair, the Greater North Guwahati Anchalik Committee of
Asom Jatiya Sanmiloni, a prominent constituent of the
seven-party Regional Democratic Alliance, was formed. [AT]
'AGP-BJP pact will benefit only Cong'
JORHAT, April 21: "The recent AGP-BJP seat-sharing alliance
will benefit only the Congress party," asserted the saffron
brigade's senior tea cell leader and National Kisan Morcha
sub-committee President Sri Dineswar Tasa, while speaking
exclusively to The Assam Tribune here on Tuesday. Expressing
serious apprehension over the probable fallout of the tie-up, Sri
Tasa felt the exercise was bound to help only their rival party, as
neither the AGP nor the BJP had cared to give "due weightage"
to the tea garden electorate, as has been done by the Congress
since long. [AT]
Disgruntled Congmen flay party list
GUWAHATI, April 22: Disappointed with the selection of candidates for the ensuing Assembly
election, several supporters of Congress-I ticket aspirants registered their protest in front of Rajiv
Bhawan here today. The supporters, who had assembled from various areas, said that genuine
candidates had been denied party tickets in several constituencies for which lower cadres were
disappointed.
"Mani Kumar Subba's interference still continues in the party as nine of his candidates have been
provided party tickets," the supporters said. They also severely criticised the APCC president, Sri Tarun
Gogoi, and senior leaders saying "Congress is controlled by Mani Kumar Subba and others are mute
spectators." [AT]
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Congress workers demonstrating in front of the residence of one of its leaders,
Tarun Gogoi, on April 22.
Asomiya Pratidin photo. |
AGSP releases list of 26 candidates
GUWAHATI, April 22: The Asom Gana Sangram Parishad (AGSP) -- a constituent of the five-party
Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) has decided to field its candidates in 28 Legislative Assembly
constituencies (LACs) for the ensuing Assembly polls in the State and the names of candidates for 26
LACs were released today by party president Sri Jatindra Kumar Borgohain at a press conference here
at the party office. [AT]
BJP second list announced
GUWAHATI, April 22: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today
announced its second list of candidates for the ensuing
Assembly election. The candidates are Lohit Rabha (Majbat),
Babul Khatoniar (Sonari) and Ratan Terang (Diphu). [AT]
Senior AGP leader quits party
JORHAT, April 22: A senior AGP member and Vice Chairman
of the State Planning Board, Deba Kumar Bora today tendered
his resignation from the party and official post held by him. In his
resignation letter to party president and Chief Minister Prafulla
Kumar Mahanta at Dispur, Bora cited lack of 'intra-party
discipline', whereby he felt 'insulted' on several occasions by a
particular local-level junior party cadre. Speaking to The Assam
Tribune, Bora revealed that bowing to public pressure he has
decided to contest independently as a 'people's candidate' from
Titabar constituency. [AT]
4 candidates file papers in Bokakhat
BOKAKHAT, April 22: Four persons have filed their
nomination papers till filing of this report for the 93-Bokakhat
LAC. Sri Mohanlal Jalan, a BJP candidate and Sri Jiten Gogoi,
an independent, had filed their papers on April 20 while Sri
Bhupendra Nath Bhuyan, sitting Cong(I) MLA and Sri Dilip
Saikia, president, AGP, Bokakhat district committee, have filed
their nomination on April 20. [AT]
5 file papers for Kalaigaon LAC
TANGLA, April 22: Three nomination were filed for the 65
Kalaigaon LAC on April 21. Mahendra Mohan Rai Choudhury
(AGP), Jitendra Chaliha (SUCI), and Nathu Boro (ABSU) filed
their nomination to the returning officers, Mangaldoi. Earlier,
Prabin Deka (AGSP) and Rupa Rani Bhuyan filed their
nominations and number of nominations filed till date is five. [AT]
15 file papers in Nalbari
NALBARI, April 22: Following the submission of eight
nomination papers in five constituencies of Nalbari district on
April 22, the number of nominations filed goes up to 15 on the
fourth day. Meanwhile, in total seven nomination papers were
submitted on April 20. [AT]
Dissension in Congress worsens
GUWAHATI, April 23: Dissension in State Congress over selection of party nominees today took a
turn for the worse when several stalwarts of the party filed nominations to contest polls as Independent
candidates. However, sources in the APCC tried to play it down by saying that the party leadership
would be able to persuade the rebel candidates to withdraw their nominations in the greater interest of
the party. [AT]
AGP formalises pact with ABSU-BPAC
GUWAHATI, April 23: The regional Asom Gana Parishad today formalised poll alliance with the
formidable combine of All-Bodo Students Union (ABSU) and Bodo People's Action Committee (BPAC)
providing more teeth to its effort to prevent Congress from capturing power in the May 10 election. The
ABSU-BPAC and AGP alliance was formalised after both the parties had signed an agreement on
common minimum programme. Apparently, AGP has emerged gainer out of the poll pact as it will
receive active support of the ABSU-BPAC in 26 constituencies for supporting ABSU-BPAC candidates
in only nine Assembly seats. In three Assembly seats -- Gossaigaon, Bhabanipur and Kalaigaon, both
the parties will have friendly contests among themselves. As per the poll pact, in nine LACs --
Kokrajhar West, Kokrajhar East, Sidli, Bijni, Sapaguri, Tamulpur, Paneri, Udalguri and Mazbat -- AGP
and its allies will not filed any candidate and support ABSU-BPAC-backed independent candidates. [AT]
Security forces gearing up for polls : DGP
By R Dutta Choudhury
GUWAHATI, April 23: The police and security forces are gearing up to thwart any move by the
insurgent outfits and unscrupulous elements to create disturbance during the poll process, said the
Director General of Assam Police, Sri H K Deka. In an interview with The Assam Tribune,
the DGP said
that regular meetings are being held between the police and the security forces to ensure a violence-free
atmosphere during the elections. He said that the Army would not be used on poll duty but the Army
men would continue the counter-insurgency operations, which, in turn, would help in preventing any
attempt by the ultras to create disturbance during the polls. [AT]
1003 candidates file papers in State
GUWAHATI, April 23: Altogether 1003 candidates have filed
their nominations for the 126 Assembly seats in the State.
Today was the last date for filing of nominations for the May 10
polls. Official sources said that as many as 702 candidates filed
their nominations today. [AT]
315 'sensitive' polling centres in Karimganj
BADARPUR, April 23: The district administration has made
all arrangements to ensure free-and-fair elections in the five
Legislative Assembly constituencies (LACs) of the Karimganj
district. The five LACs are Ratabari, Patharkandi, Badarpur,
North Karimganj and South Karimganj. In a press conference
recently, the District Returning Officer (DRO) DC Lanki
Phangchu informed that 48 hours before the election all
anti-social elements will be confined as provided under Sec 107
CrPC. The DC informed that there are 758 polling stations
in the Karimganj district's five LACs, of which 315 polling centres
are 'sensitive' and 'hyper-sensitive'. [AT]
23 sensitive polling centres in Golaghat dist
BOKAKHAT, April 23: The 93 Bokakhat Assembly segment in
Golaghat district has 94,306 voters including 376 'D' voters
having 49,106 male and 45,200 female voters. In the midterm
parliamentary election, the LAC had 14,966 voters. Under this
Assembly constituency, there are 116 polling stations including
one 'No voters' polling station namely 68 Saguri Chapori LP
school. Out of this polling booth, 23 polling centres are identified
as sensitive, two are vulnerable, 35 are likely to brew trouble.
Besides these as many as 35 are flood ravaged and
erosion-affected areas. [AT]
AGP-BJP poll pact likely to favour Cong in Nalbari Sadar
NALBARI, April 23: The Nalbari Sadar LAC is likely to witness
a straight battle between the AGP nominee and local MLA Dr
Aloka Sarma and Congress nominee Madan Kalita. The Assam
BJP nominee Hirannya Bhattacharya will play a crucial role in
the favour of Congress nominee. AGP nominee Dr Aloka Sarma,
who came into direct politics after the death of her husband
Nagen Sarma, will have to work hard to retain the seat as the
constituency has become more favourable for the Congress
following failure of the AGP in all fronts. [AT]
Samajwadi Janata Party to contest 10 seats
GUWAHATI, April 23: Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya)
Assam, unit president Narayan Chandra Sarma has announced
its decision to contest 10 Assembly seats in the state in the
ensuing Assembly election and announced the names of the 10
candidates a press release said. [AT]
Disgruntled Congmen ransack party office
GUWAHATI, April 24: Internal squabbles in Congress took a turn for the worse with a section of
disgruntled Congress workers from West Guwahati area led by one Prasanta Malla Bujarbaruah
resorted vendalism at the party headquarter, Rajiv Bhawan, here today. About 200 angry Congressmen
who bayed for blood of certain senior APCC leaders for "irregularities" in selection of party nominees,
swooped down on the APCC headquarter forcing several senior Congressmen present there to run for
safety. The mob went on rampage destroying property in the APCC headquarter besides burning down
publicity materials sent by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) for use in the electioneering. [AT]
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Congress workers burning publicity material brought from
Delhi for the Assembly polls at Rajiv Bhawan in the city
on April 24 in protest against the party's candidates' list.
The Assam Tribune photo. |
36 nominations found invalid
GUWAHATI, April 24: Altogether 36 nominations were found to be invalid after the scrutiny today, leaving 967 candidates in the
fray till date for the May 10 Assembly polls on the State. April 26 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations. An official release
said that seven nominations were rejected in the eight Assembly constituencies under the Guwahati sub-division, leaving 67 candidates in
the fray. The candidates whose nominations were rejected today are -- Imran Shah (Cong) and Bijan Rabha (Ind) in Chaygaon Assembly
Constituency, Manomati Boro (UBNLF), Dwijen Bhattacharya, Bodhen Hazarika and Ramani Kanta Deka in Guwahati East and Barkat Ullah of
the Congress in Hajo Assembly Constituency. After the scrutiny of nominations in the constituencies of Kamrup district, the Guwahati
East Constituency has the highest number of candidates, that is 13, while the Chygaon Constituency has only two candidates. [AT]
Vajpayee, Advani to address poll rally
GUWAHATI, April 24: Prime Minister AB Vajpayee and Union Home Minister LK Advani were scheduled to address a joint election
campaign rally here for the coming May 10 Assembly poll in Assam, Chief Minister PK Mahanta said today. Talking to reporters here,
Mahanta said the date for the rallies had not yet been finalised. He also said the poll alliance
partners AGP and BJP could agree on common issues for the benefit of the State. [AT]
ATTSA issues stern warning to parties
JORHAT, April 24: While literally 'banning' the BJP, the Assam Tea Tribes Students' Association (ATTSA) has warned
political parties and their henchmen not to enter tea gardens or approach labour quarters after 7 pm to seek support for the
ensuing Assembly elections.
An emergent meeting held here on Saturday under the presidentship of the Association's Jorhat district unit president
Sri Durga Bhumij, while singling out the BJP for 'special treatment' for their lackadaisical attitude towards the over 60 lakh
strong tea tribe electorate, also lambasted the AGP-led Government for turning a deaf ear towards the latters' plight and
also for not initiating any welfare programmes for the perennially backward tea tribes.
The Congress too came in for flak for their consistent 'deceit' and 'falsehood' for over 45 years now. "If need be, the AGP and
Congress will also be 'banned' like the BJP", the meeting unanimously agreed.
Significantly, the ATTSA meeting resolved to support certain candidates at the personal level and necessary instruction on the
decision has since been intimated to other State units of the organisation. [AT]
TGP allegation against Mahanta
GUWAHATI, April 24: The Trinamool Gana Parishad (TGP) today took strong exception to Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar
Mahanta's violation of the election code of conduct by parading with three elephant while going to submit his nomination papers
and requisitioning public buses for transporting his supporters using policemen and indulging in other irregularities, according to
a party release. In a complaint mailed to the Chief Election Commission, Sri Pulakesh Barua, president and Sri Atul Bora,
general secretary of the party alleged that in addition to these gross violations Sri Mahanta has also been made using his
office staff along with policemen for campaign works large-scale appointments have also been backdated letters they further
alleged. Both the office bearers urged the Chief Election Commissioner to take action in this regard immediately. The
party also alleged that Mahanta had allegedly withdrawn about Rs 1.5 crore last month from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund
specially meant for Kargil crisis. It urged the Commission to probe the matter immediately. [AT]
Election duty
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune]
Sir,
Election duty is no doubt a part of essential services to the nation and hence it is strictly binding on any employee
engaged for it. But such duty being highly strenuous both physically and mentally an upper age bar should be maintained
and any person above it should be relieved of the duty. In my view no person above fifty should be appointed as presiding or
polling officer.
We always feel pity for these senior persons suffering during the poll. It is admittedly true that the conditions of most of the polling
stations are not at all satisfactory lacking minimum amenities like water and sanitation. So these senior people find it very
difficult to spend at least three days in such a situation.
Moreover they are too weak to withstand the tremendous crowd pressure during the time of submission of polling materials. Their
woes know no bounds when instead of a system, chaos prevails in the receiving counters. The people of senior group and the
ladies should be exempted from such election duty. The return of polling materials after the polling should be done sectorwise and
be entrusted to the sector officers to avoid unnecessary harassment faced by the presiding and polling officers.
Yours etc., SARBANANDA DAS, Pandu College. [AT]
Cong behind ULFA attack: Mahanta
GUWAHATI, April 25: Chief Minister and AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today predicted that the banned ULFA would launch offensive and target the AGP candidates at the instigation of the anti-AGP parties mainly the Congress on the eve of the Assembly election on May 10. He said, the Government is gathering information about the ULFA's design and chalking out an appropriate strategy to frustrate the outfit's design. [S]
Mahanta behind vandalism in Rajiv Bhavan: Tarun Gogoi
JORHAT, April 25: Even as APCC chief Tarun Gogoi could somehow escape from an unwarranted situation created by a vociferous group of deprived Congress candidates and their supporters at his residence in Guwahati and reach here yesterday, the APCC headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan stood vandalized by the irate Congressmen. Reacting to these developments, Mr Gogoi today accused Assam Chief Minister and AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and his government of being behind these incidents. [S]
ULFA guns down two AGP campaigners in Bongaigaon
GUWAHATI, April 25: The banned United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has attacked the members of the ruling Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in two separate places of the State killing two active members of the party last night. In the incidents one more person was killed and another was injured. [S]
AGP-BJP alliance looks formidable in Hailakandi
SILCHAR, April 25: The three Assembly segments of Hailakandi-Katlicherra, Hailakandi and Algapur-provides a contrasting poll picture. The Congress candidate from Katlicherra, Gautam Roy, who was elected twice, is in for tough challenge from AGP-BJP combine.
Algapur has been the bastion of AGP with Sahidul Alam Chowdhury, Minister and one of the general secretaries, and a close confidant of the Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, winning the seat three times in a row since his debut as an Independent in 1985. With the backing of BJP this time, a strong force in winning spread looks unstoppable. [S]
GSS' call to poll candidates
GUWAHATI, April 25: The Grahak Suraksha Sanstha (GSS) in a press release issue here today called upon parties and candidates contesting the ensuing elections to the Assam Legislative Assembly to unequivocally state their positions and declare their policies with regard to the various burning problems of the common people. It has further urged the voters to unsparingly question and cross-examine the candidates during the election campaign. [S]
ULFA may target AGP men : CM
GUWAHATI, April 25: The president of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Chief Minister Prafulla
Kumar Mahanta today said ULFA might train its guns on AGP workers during polls. Addressing a press
conference here this morning, Sri Mahanta said ULFA had already killed two AGP men, one at Rangiya
another at Bongaigaon district in the run up to the forthcoming polls. When asked whether the
Government had any information that the ULFA and NDFB might try to disrupt polls by resorting to
violence, the Chief Minister said it was natural that the terrorist outfit would be happy to strike during
polls as it would put them in the limelight. [AT]
Oust AGP from power : Pawar
GUWAHATI, April 25: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president, Sri Sharad Pawar today
appealed to the people to oust Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) from power in the greater interest of the
State. Addressing a press conference at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi international airport before
launching his four-day election campaign in Assam, Sri Pawar further said that people are completely
disappointed with the misrule and rampant corruption of the AGP. "The Regional Democratic Alliance
(RDA) has been constituted with an eye to bring a radical change in the State", Sri Pawar said. [AT]
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Former Defence Minister and president of NCP Sharad
Pawar, former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP general
secretary PA Sangma and Bhrigu Phukan, former State
Home Minister at a public meeting in North Guwahati on
April 25.
The Assam Tribune photo. |
EC ban fails to deter wall postering
GUWAHATI, April 25: Though there is a ban on wall painting on the walls of the Government offices,
almost all the political parties are making free use of the walls of the State and Central Government
offices in utter violation of the norms. As per the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission,
no political party or candidate can put up hoardings, cut outs, wall paintings etc. on highways, walls of
the Government buildings and traffic inter-section crossings, without prior permission. [AT]
AGP-BJP alliance
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune]
Sir,
It is very shocking and surprising that the AGP has
teamed up with the BJP for the Assembly elections in Assam as
both the parties have been blaming each other on many issues
for several years. The BJP also once claimed that the AGP is
their main enemy.
On other hand the AGP has left their alliance partners, who
were with them in the past. It is seen that the AGP can change
side easily at any moment. The time has come for the smaller
parties of Assam to join together to fight against such alliance of
convenience.
Yours etc., PARASHMONI SINHA, 4/2A, Sarat
Bose Road, Kolkata. [AT]
Polls sans basic issues
[Editorial, The Assam Tribune, April 26, 2001]
With the countdown for the general elections to four States and one Union Territory starting and the
schedule for the filing of nomination papers coming to a close, the voters are bewildered at the peculiar
phenomenon of the absence of basic issues before them. Never before such general elections were held
without clear-cut issues. Major players seeking votes for their candidates have failed to project issues of
importance before the people. [AT]
Cong appeal to party workers
GUWAHATI, April 25: The Assam Pradesh Congress (I) Committee (APCC) has appealed to all the party leaders who
have filed nomination papers for the coming polls as Independent candidates to withdraw their nomination an d work
for the success of the official candidates of the party, according to a party release. APCC chief Tarun Gogoi said that if the party
comes to power, aspirants for nominations would be considered for accommodation in different developmental works in the
States. [AT]
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Administration workers removing the wall-postering by Nationalist Congress Party. Postering in public places is not permitted under the election law.
Asomiya Pratidin photo. |
53 withdraw nominations
GUWAHATI, April 26: Altogether 914
candidates are left in the fray in 126 seats for
the May 10 State Assembly polls after the
withdrawal of nomination papers today, official
sources said. Sources said that altogether 53
candidates have withdrawn their nominations
today. [AT]
Ultras plan to target prominent ministers
GUWAHATI, April 26: The United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has hatched a plan to target
several prominent Ministers during the poll process, highly placed police sources said. Sources revealed
that the Chief Minister, Sri Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and his wife Jayashree Goswami Mahanta, MP have
been identified as the prime targets by the militant outfit as the ULFA leadership is of the view that they
suffered serious setbacks because of the tough stand taken against them by the Chief Minister. The
other Ministers likely to be targeted by the ULFA include the Agriculture Minister Chandra Mohan
Patowary, Revenue Minister Zoii Nath Sarma, Municipal Administration Minister Biraj Sarma, Minister of
State for Tourism Jagadish Bhuyan and Minister of State for Veterinary Hiranya Konwar. [AT]
AICC keeps options open
Fierce tussle over APCC chief's post
From Kalyan Barooah
NEW DELHI, April 26: A fierce tussle over leadership in the Assam Congress Party is likely to break
out between the camps of State president, Tarun Gogoi and Bhubaneswar Kalita following a decision of
the AICC high command not to back any State leader as a chief ministerial candidate. Even as the
Assam Congress leadership continue to grope in the dark, clueless how to handle the growing dissident
activities, the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi is scheduled to hit the campaign trial in the State with a
meeting in Tezpur on May 30. She is slated to address a few more meetings in Sonitpur and Dhemaji
districts on her day-long trip to the State. However, the entry of Bhubaneswar Kalita, AICC secretary
into the electoral fray has upset the equation in the Congress party, with a powerful section within the
party changing tracks and deciding to back Kalita for the top post. [AT]
Elections and development
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune]
Sir,
It is a common practice now-a-days among our
politicians to promise a lot of things before every election and
forget those easily and safely as soon as the hustings are over.
Whatever may be the reason -- be it financial, political or a lack
of will and understanding of the real problems, the developmental
efforts are always relegated to the background. Thus the
common problems of drinking water, health, hygiene and
sanitation, infrastructure and other basic amenities are being
neglected and sidelined year after year. More ...
Yours etc., ANUPAM THAKURIA, Tarun Nagar, Guwahati. [AT]
Peace for development, AGP's main poll plank
GUWAHATI, April 26: Peace for development is the focus of the election manifesto of Asom Gana
Parishad. The manifesto which was released by the party president, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, here this
morning, pledges to carry on its efforts to bring back peace to the insurgency ravaged State if the party
is voted to power in the forthcoming polls. The regional party poll manifesto identifies insurgency as the
major impediment in the path of development and reiterates its commitment to provide security to lives
and property of common people in the State. [AT]
 | |
AGP president PK Mahanta releasing the party manifesto
at party central office in the city on April 26 for the
forthcoming state assembly elections.
The Assam Tribune photo. |
AGP discovers Pancahat Raj
GUWAHATI, April 26:
Taking a stand at variance with its decision to keep
panchayat elections on hold for no less than five years,
the Asom Gana Parishad has promised to
decentralise power to the extent of allowing it to
percolate down to the "lowest" level. [TT]
Cong breathes easy as rebels pull out of fray
GUWAHATI, April 26:
The snowballing dissidence in the Assam PCC today
blew over when several rebel Congressmen withdrew
their nominations in favour of the party's official
candidates.
PCC chief Tarun Gogoi had appealed to all rebel
candidates to pull out of the contest yesterday. [TT]
A Season for Canards
[Editorial, The Sentinel, April 28, 2001]
The electoral culture of the Indian polity has degenerated to such an extent that apart from the violence that is unleashed right from the time of filing nomination papers to the day of polling, there is no let-up in the canards slung at each other even during the campaigning and in the release of the manifestos of different political parties. Political parties are far more obsessed today with detailing what their rivals currently in power did or did not do while releasing their election manifestos. And that apart, the deleterious tendency to blame rival political parties for anything that happens to a party in the fray is getting to be sickeningly commonplace. It is as though the period of campaigning is a season for unsubstantiated canards and accusations of rival political parties.[S]
Rebellion pours cold water on Cong run for power
GUWAHATI, April 27: The dream run of the Congress to power in the Assembly elections appears to have been derailed as rebellion in the party has assumed unmanageable proportions with a flabbergasted APCC president Tarun Gogoi issuing a last-minute warning to the rebel candidates "to retire from the race by April 29 or face expulsion", after his warning to them to withdraw their nominations went unheaded, amid reports of mass resignations from the party pouring in from several key constituencies. [S]
Finally it's a 63-men and 8-seat game
GUWAHATI, April 27: Altogether 63 candidates have remained in fray for the forthcoming Assembly election for eight Assembly constituencies under Guwahati electoral district as four candidates have withdrawn their names yesterday, the penultimate day of withdrawal of candidate, stated an official press release. [S]
Three poll observers arrive at Dhubri
DHUBRI, April 27: Three Central election observers for the ensuing Assembly polls to be held on May 10 have arrived at Dhubri and are camping at the Dhubri Circuit House and reviewing the electioneering works of the Dhubri district. [S]
State heading for hung Assembly : Gogoi
GUWAHATI, April 27: Veteran CPI leader, Sri Promode Gogoi today hinted that State is heading for a
hung Assembly. Addressing a joint press conference of newly constituted front comprising Samajbadi
Party (SP), CPM and CPI, Sri Gogoi further said that no party will get absolute majority in the coming
election. Giving the rationale behind it, the CPI leader revealed that voters are confused and hence there
is every possibility of a hung Assembly. The Front has decided to contest 69 seats in the forthcoimg
election and it would support 41 candidates of like-minded parties in other constituencies. He also
revealed that the main aim of the Front will be to defeat AGP-BJP combine and Congress(I). [AT]
SP's manifesto
GUWAHATI, April 27: The SP leader, Sri Abdul Muhib Mazumdar today released its election manifesto
here today in which the party laid emphasis on decentralisation of power and upgradation of
industrialisation. Releasing the manifesto, he said that party would work to improve the cottage and
ancilary industries which are facing sick due to apathy of the State government. Sri Majumdar further
said that it would put pressure on the Centre to improve the communication system of the State.
"Moreover we will demand immediate conversion of meter gauge railway lines into broad gauge and
improvement of Guwahati-Mankachar road," he added. Expressing concern at the plight of the tea
garden labourers, the SP leader assured that party would be working for the development of education
and culture of the community. [AT]
State Cong vows to probe corruption
GUWAHATI, April 27: Congress presents old wine in a new bottle, vows to probe corruption in
government dealing during the AGP regime, promises talks with insurgents, tries to woo minority voters
and even offers sops to journalists in its election manifesto released here today. Releasing the election
manifesto at Rajiv Bahawan here this morning, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC)
president, Tarun Gogoi said the party if voted to power would institute probe in all financial irregularities
during the tenure of AGP. He further said Congress would also give priority to restoration of peace and
set the development process on the roll and maintain transparency in the administration. [AT]
Asom BJP for compiling NRC
GUWAHATI, April 27: Asom BJP -- the breakaway faction of BJP today stressed upon compiling of a "national register for citizens" and
a grampanjee as their prime goals for achieving peace and prosperity for the trouble-torn State. Sri Hiranya Bhattacharyya, president of the
group today released its election manifesto which emphasised upon developing in a large-scale agro and cottage industries as well
as land reforms in a big scale and clearing of encroachments of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries among others. [AT]
ABSU pledges to work for peace
KOKRAJHAR, April 27: The All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) today released its election manifesto in which the party laid emphasis on
solution to the Bodo problem. Releasing the manifesto here, the adviser of the ABSU, Sri UG Brahma assured that it would work untiringly to
bring peace to the trouble-hit Bodoland area and provide security to all section of people. [AT]
ASDC(U) reiterates commitment for autonomous State
GUWAHATI, April 27: The Autonomous State Demand Committee (United) contesting the May 10
elections in alliance with the ruling AGP, has reiterated its commitment for an autonomous State in
the Karbi Anglong and NC Hills districts. ASDC(U) president Holiram Terang, releasing the party's poll
manifesto at a news conference here this afternoon, said that getting the autonomous State will be "the
main thrust". "It shall be our endeavour to pressurise the government for a negotiated settlement of the
demand for autonomous State", the manifesto says. [AT]
PLP releases manifesto
GUWAHATI, April 27: The Purbanchaliya Loka Parishad (PLP) today released its election manifesto in which the party
laid emphasis on repealing of IM(DT) Act. Releasing the manifesto the PLP president Dr Ananda Kumar Barbara said that
party would work to solve the flood problem and upgradation of agriculture. "Our main aim will be to bring peace to the trouble-hit
Assam and create awareness among the masses against the secret killings," he said. [AT]
Senior BJP leaders to campaign in State
GUWAHATI, April 27: Senior BJP leaders including Atal Behari Vajpayee, L K Advani, Murali Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj and Uma
Bharati are scheduled to hit the campaign trail in the State in order to give a boost to the somewhat low-key electioneering by the saffron
party in the State so far. Party sources here informed that other prominent BJP leaders who were going to address election rallies in different
parts of the State included crowd-puller Promod Mahajan, party president Jana Krishnamurthy, Ram Naik, Narendra Modi, Jual Oram and
Sanghapriya Gautom. [AT]
AGP-BJP confident of sweeping polls
GUWAHATI, April 27: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance is
confident of sweeping the next Assembly election in the State with a popular mandate favouring more
than two-third majority of the alliance in the State Assembly. Addressing a joint press conference at the
State headquarters of the AGP here this afternoon, AGP president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and BJP
State president Rajen Gohain described the alliance as a 'historic' one and claimed that the people of
the State have welcomed the new alliance in a big way. [AT]
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