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Requisitioned vehicles
GUWAHATI, May 6: The Kamrup district authorities today
began lining up vehicles requisitioned for election duty at the
Judges Field here. A huge fleet of vehicles is being required by
the authorities for smooth conduct of the elections with the
Guwahati Electoral district having the highest eight numbers of
Legislative Assembly constituencies with 1,265 polling stations.
This was stated in an official release. [AT]
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|
With barely four days left for the polls, authorities in
Guwahati have requisitioned hundreds of city buses,
adding to the woes of the common people.
The Assam Tribune photo. |
Election office torched
JORHAT, May 6: An election office of the
Congress party was torched by miscreants in
the Naoboisa area of Borigaon under Bhogdoi
police station here in the wee hours today.
However, no one has been arrested in this
connection. [AT]
Bullet-proof jackets
JORHAT, May 6: In a significant development
here today, all 36 candidates within Jorhat
district have been allotted bullet-proof jackets
in view of Intelligence reports that an ULFA
'action group' has entered the district. [AT]
Boro facing stiff fight in Rangiya
RANGIYA, May 6: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) heavyweight and Education Minister Thaneswar Boro
is facing stiff contest from senior Congress leader Bhubaneswar Kalita, a former member of Parliament,
in the Rangiya Assembly constituency from where he was elected to the State Assembly for three
consecutive terms. With the anti-incumbency factor going against him, Sri Boro's campaign was also
affected by the threat posed to the AGP by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants. Sri
Boro himself admitted that number of AGP workers in his constituency received threats from the
militants. However, he hoped that such threats would not affect his poll prospects. [AT]
Cong on the defensive in Upper Assam
From Ron Duarah
DIBRUGARH, May 6: Hit hard by a concerted campaign by the AGP-BJP combine that it is backing
up militants in the current spree of violence let loose by ULFA and sundry militants, the Congress is
finding it increasingly difficult to prove that it has not reneged from its professed theory of non-violence.
The Congress still has a good chance of retaining its bastion in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, but
the party seems to be at a loss. [AT]
Grenade attack injures eight
GUWAHATI, May 6: At least eight persons,
including three police personnel, were injured in
a grenade blast at Rangjuli in Goalpara district
at around 8.30 in the evening today.
Unidentified miscreants lobbed a grenade into
the campaign office of Dudhnoi constituency
Congress candidate Sri Pranay Rabha. The
attack was made just after Sri Rabha had left
the office. [AT]
ULFA-politicians' nexus
Cong dares Advani to order probe
GUWAHATI, May 6: Launching a vitriolic
attack against the Prime Minister and the Union
Home Minister, for their alleged attempt to
politicise the violence being witnessed in the
State, the Congress today challenged Home
Minister LK Advani to order an inquiry into the
banned ULFA's links with political parties. [AT]
'Dry days'
GUWAHATI, May 6: In view of Election Commission's direction the
Superintendent of Excise, Kamrup declared 'dry days' on May 8,
9, 10 and 13 in view of ensuing Assembly elections. All IMFL,
beer and C.S. shops and bonded warehouses, all clubs and bars
on licences will remain closed on those days. The concerned
licencees are directed not to allow any person or group to lift and
stock any liquor from their licensed premises for illegal use
during dry days. This was stated in an official press release. [AT]
Training for vote counting under EVM system held
GUWAHATI, May 6: The training for counting of votes under
Electronic Voting Machine System was held today at the
conference hall of Deputy Commissioner's office, Kamrup, an
official press release informed. Addressing the counting
personnel appointed for counting of votes for 731 polling stations
under Jalukbari, Dispur, Guwahati East and Guwahati West, Sri
Dhirendra Nath Saikia, Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup and
District Election Officer, Guwahati appealed to the counting
personnel to discharge their duties sincerely and confidently as
the counting process under EVM is very simple, easy and
time-saving.
A total 32 tables will be used for counting of votes under EVM
system and 71 personnel including seven reserved have been
appointed for counting. [AT]
RDA is a major force in State : Bhujbal
GUWAHATI, May 6: Chhagan Bhujbal, Deputy Chief Minister
of Maharashtra and senior leader of the Nationalist Congress
Party (NCP), yesterday expressed confidence of the NCP-led
Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) emerging as a major power
bloc to be reckoned with in the ensuing State Assembly polls.
Addressing media persons at the NCP office here, Bhujbal said
that there was every possibility of being faced with a hung State
Assembly after the polls and RDA, more specifically NCP, would
be open to alliance with parties with "clean and honest" people
untainted by any kind of scams till date. [AT]
AGP leader resigns under ULFA threat
KOKRAJHAR, May 6: Threats and killings engulfing the entire
State has not left Kokrajhar untouched. Sri Rabindra Sutradhar,
the general secretary of Kalipukuri Anchalik Committe of AGP in
Kokrajhar district has resigned from the party recently following
the ULFA threat. According to a source, Sri Sutradhar was
threatened with dire consequences if he did not resign from the
party. [AT]
Poll duty allowance
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune, May 7, 2001]
Sir,
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to request the
Chief Election Officer, Assam to clarify the following points
regarding the allowances paid to Presiding and Polling Officers
engaged in poll duty. In the last parliamentary election, different
amounts were paid to Presiding and Polling Officers engaged in
poll duties in different districts of Assam. Whether the amount
paid is based on any guidelines of Election Commission or
decided by the district authorities? For the coming election, in
Bongaigaon district, persons engaged in poll duty have already
been paid Rs 100 each per day for attending election training,
whereas no such amount is paid in Kamrup district. The
concerned authority should clarify in the interest of the officers
engaged in poll duty.
Yours etc., ASHIM HAZARIKA, Chandmari, Guwahati. [AT]
Nripen Goswami arrested, freed
NAGAON, May 6: Former MP and Congress candidate for the prestigious 86 Nagaon Sadar LAC, Mr Nripen Goswami was today arrested by the sadar police from his residence on charges of intimidating supporters of an Independent candidate, Mr Mukut Sharma, who, incidently, is a dissident Congress leader.
According to police sources, the Nagaon SP, Mr S N Singh and the Additional SP Mr S N Bhuyan interrogated Mr Goswami. He was, however, released on bail. [S]
Will jumbo shake Bora's citadel?
Guwahati, May 6: In the prestigious Dispur Assembly constituency, the million dollar question doing the round is, whether the jumbo would be able to dislodge the kursee(TGP's election symbol), even as the electors gearing up to seal the fate of the two most high-profile politicians of the State -- the Chief Minister and AGP president, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and TGP leader, Atul Bora.
Altogether 12 candidates are in the fray in this constituency, which has 2,15,074 electors. The constituency, which has been virtually a fiefdom of Atul Bora since 1985, will this time witness a triangular fight between AGP-BJP backed Prafulla Mahanta, TGP's nominee Atul Bora and the Congress nominee, Captain Robin Bordoloi, the son of the first Chief Minister of Assam, Gopinath Bordoloi. Interestingly, Chittaranjan Patwari of Trinamool Congress is also in the fray. [S]
Repeal of IM(DT) a must: Gohain
GUWAHATI, May 6: In the run-up to the State Assembly elections, The Sentinel met the leaders of the various political parties to know about their party's views on various issues pertaining to Assam, which are at the back of the mind of every voter of the State. In this issue, Assam BJP unit president and Member of Parliament, Mr Rajen Gohain gave his opinion on the relevant issues which were posed before him and also disclosed as to how his party proposes to tackle these problems, if elected to power. [S]
64% want Sinha as CM: Sangma
JAGIROAD, May 6: Former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP leader, Mr P.A. Sangma on May 5 claimed that 64 per cent of the people of Assam want Mr Sarat Chandra Sinha to be the next Chief Minister. He was addressing an 8,000-strong crowd at Charaibahi. Stating that only the NCP under Mr Sinha's leadership can provide a good government. Mr Sangma appealed to the voters to elect Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) candidate, Mr Lakhi Prasad Mahanta from Morigaon. [S]
Invincible Mahanta likely to have a rough ride in Berhampur
KAMPUR, May 6: In spite of the AGP's long-standing base in the 87 No. Berhampur constituency, wherefrom the State Chief Minister, Mr Prafulla Kumar Mahanta is contesting the election this time also, the "Assam BJP" candidate, Mr Subas Laskar and the Congress(I) candidate, Ms Chitra Phukan have intensified their campaign to woo the voters. [S]
Hazarika on a sticky wicket in Amguri
JORHAT, May 6: The present Transport Minister and AGP candidate from Amguri constituency, Mr Pradip Hazarika is facing a strong challenge from the Congress(I) candidate Mr Anjan Dutta this time. There is a wave in favour of the Congress in a number of villages of the constituency. The latest erosion in the AGP camp has made the party position weak. The AGP supporters of Amguri area left AGP and joined Congress(I) being disgusted with the inaction of Mr Pradip Hazarika who could not contribute anything to the development of Amguri constituency. [S]
Misplaced Displeasure
[Editorial, The Sentinel, May 7, 2001]
The asperity of Assam Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta in dealing with the Election Commission (EC) over what he calls the "high-sounding code of conduct" prescribed by it, would seem to be totally misplaced in the context of the circumstances that have compelled the EC to lay down a code of conduct for elections and to enforce it with increasing rigour during the last few elections. [S]
Hojai security tightened
GUWAHATI, May 6: The subdivisional administration has tightened up security and promulgated section 144 Cr.Pc. with immediate effect to ensure free and fair polls in the three LACs under Hojai subdivision, said an official press release. [S]
Anti-incumbency factor to help Cong in East Guwahati
Guwahati, May 6: With a few days left for the hustings to elect a new State Government, the popular mood in the East Guwahati constituency still remains hazy as despondent over the performancesof the elected representatives over the years, voters are perplexed as to whom to vote for.
The voters of East Guwahati have been highly unpredictable. In 1985 they elected the AGP candidate, Mr Biraj Sharma, while in 1991 they favoured the candidature of Congress nominee Mr Chitaranjan Patowari while in the last Assembly elections they brought back Mr Sharma. Retaining the trend, this time an undercurrent in favour of Congress is looming large among the voters, more so in the absence of a BJP nominee. [S]
Cong charged with killing own workers
GUWAHATI, May 7: The Asom Gana Parishad today said the six
Congress workers killed at Biswanath Chariali and
Dhekiajuli in Sonitpur district on Friday were victims of
a "heinous conspiracy" by their own leaders.
AGP general secretary Birendra Prasad Baishya said
the twin attacks were carried out by surrendered Ulfa
militants at the behest of the Congress leadership.
He said the conspiracy came to light during the
interrogation of a well-known former rebel who was
arrested by the Army on Saturday night.
"Kajol Khan, the arrested Sulfa leader, confessed that
the killing of Congress workers at Biswanath Chariali
and Dhekiajuli were carried out by some former
militants at the behest of the Congress," he said. [TT]
Bullet, Ballot and Revolution
Sanjeeb Kakoty
Going by the sheer scale of violence, whether the 2001 elections would surpass the killings and mayhem of the 1983 elections, it is difficult to predict. But what can be said with a great deal of certainty is that the forthcoming Assembly elections would certainly rank as one of the most crucial elections Assam will experience. Though it does not appear that the common voter in Assam realizes the crucial importance of this election, but most political parties seem to have grasped the critical nature of these hustings. [S]
Voters will decide if we've nexus with ULFA: Sonia
NALBARI, May 7: "The Congress will oppose any move to repeal the IM(DT) Act which had been enacted by the late Indira Gandhi in Assam for the safeguard of genuine Indian citizens from undue harassment in the name of detection and deportation of foreigners," said All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi while addressing an election rally at Nalbari College playground here today. Ms Gandhi lambasted the AGP-led Government in Assam for spreading hatred and animosity among various sections of the people for narrow political interest. [S]
ULFA-Cong nexus will be decided on May 10: AGP
GUWAHATI, May 7: The AGP today reiterated its charge that the Congress is hand in glove with the ULFA, as it ruled out a judicial inquiry into the charge as demanded by the Congress. A spokesman of the party today said, the Congress(I) has been demanding a judicial inquiry by a Supreme Court judge to investigate Congress-ULFA nexus in the recent killings of AGP-BJP alliance candidates and workers. Obviously no copy of any written agreement to prove this nexus is likely to be available. [S]
Prospects of AGP brighten in Nagaon Sadar LAC
NAGAON, May 7: Following the arrest (and subsequent release) of Congress nominee for Nagaon Sadar LAC, Mr Nripen Goswami yesterday for attacking workers of rebel Congress-turned-independent candidate Mukut Sarma, the election scenario in this prestigious constituency has overnight changed to leave the field wide open to Mr Sarma and AGP nominee and sitting MLA, Girindra Kumar Baruah to fight it out in the hustings. [S]
'Star candidates' locked in contest in 8 constituencies
Guwahati, May 7: Though at least 20 constituencies are heading for a stiff fight for the May 10 Assembly elections, the eight constituencies have become cynosure of all eyes becuase of the fact that the fate of some political stalwarts cutting across partline, hangs in balance in these seats. The rival candidates in these constituencies are posing big challeges to each other. In these constituencies, a clear picture will not emerge till the last ballot is counted. [S]
CM blames EC for violence
NAGAON, May 7: According to the Chief Minister P.K. Mahanta, the Election Commission of India was fully responsible for the pre-poll violence in the State. While talking to the newsmen at his residence at Nagaon, Mr Mahanta said that the EC was requested by the State Government to hold the elections in more than two phases in order to foil the possible attacks by militants. But the Commission did not attached due importance to the plea of the Government. [S]
Security tightened in Hojai sub-div
GUWAHATI, May 7: Following intelligence reports that anti-social elements might create disturbances, the subdivisional administration in a bid to tighten security, has promulgated Section 144 CrPC with immediate effect to ensure free and fair polls to three LACs under Hojai subdivision, stated an official press release. [S]
26 men in fray in Bongaigaon
BONGAIGAON, May 7: Altogether 26 candidates have remained in fray for the forthcoming Assembly election for four constituencies in Bongaigaon district as because seven candidates have withdrawn their names on April 26, the last day of withdrawal nomination paper. [S]
Repetition of the Battle of Itakhuli
[Editorial, The Sentinel, May 8, 2001]
The coming battle of ballots on May 10 appears to be the repetition of the famous Itakhuli battle fought between the Ahoms and the Mughals, a deciding battle to determine whether Assam will be subjugated by the Mughals, or will remain free. More ...
Girindra Kumar Das, Geetanagar, Guwahati - 21. [S]
The Judgement Day
[Letters to the Editor, The Sentinel, May 8, 2001]
In an ominous run up to the May 10 poll, Assam has witnessed the death of almost 40 people since the poll process started on April 4. May 10 can be aptly termed as Judgement Day not only for the people of Assam, but also for the whole nation -- an acid test for the moral integrity of politicians, revolutionaries, student leaders, intellectuals and the public. Today it is not a choice between AGP-BJP or Congress but whether to remain an Indian or to become a hapless victim of a greater Bangladesh design. More ...
Sunil Dhawan, Fancy Bazar, Guwahati-1. [S]
Sonia blames AGP for violence in State
From Ramen Kalita
NALBARI, May 7: Launching the Congress election campaign at insurgency-infested
Nalbari district, AICC president Sonia Gandhi today lashed out at the ruling Asom Gana
Parishad (AGP) government and held it responsible for the violence prevailing in the State. [AT]
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Congress presidnet Sonia Gandhi addressing an election
rally at Nalbari College playground on May 7. She also
addressed rallies at Dhubri, Golakganj and Howly among
other places yesterday to garner support for her party
candidates in the May 10 polls.
The Assam Tribune photo. |
Cong to move EC on PM's announcement
NEW DELHI, May 7: The Congress today threatened to lodge a protest with the Election Commission
of India (EC) alleging violation of the code of conduct over the Prime Minister's announce-ment to issue
work permit to the illegal Bangladesh migrants, at Silchar yesterday. Hard put to seize the initiative, the
AICC and the BJP today separately reacted to the Prime Minister's statement. Although the Congress
in principle welcomed the initiative to issue work permits to the illegal migrants, it however described the
statement as dangling of carrot to the electorate before the polls. It is a clear breach of statutory code of
conduct and the Congress has decided to lodge a protest with the EC, announced the AICC
spokesman, Jaipal Reddy, briefing newsmen here today. [AT]
Defeat AGP-BJP combine : Madani
GUWAHATI, May 7: Jamiat-Ulema-Hind president Maulana Syed Asad Madani today said he was not concerned with the Bangladeshi
foreigners in Assam or with them being given work permit as announced by Prime Minister Atal
Behari Vajpayee at Silchar yesterday. Addressing a press conference here, Madani
said he is concern only for the Indian Muslims who should not be harassed in the name of
detection and deportation of foreigners from the country. Asked if he had issued any diktat to
the Muslim community for the coming Assam Assembly poll to unitedly vote for the Congress,
for which he was campaigning here, Madani replied, they want justice, peace and progress.
Asked if he had any message for the Muslim voters in the State, the Jamiat leader said
under Congress rule there would be unity, progress, law and order and all including the
Muslims would be benefitted. He also appealed to the voters to cast their ballot in favour of
the Congress and defeat the AGP-BJP so that development was ushered and the State
progressed further. [AT]
Poll campaining ends today
NEW DELHI, May 7: Dust will settle down tomorrow on the frenzied campaign for May 10
Assembly elections in the four states and the Union Territory of Pondicherry. Campaigning for
the politically significant "mini general elections" since the return of Vajpayee government in
October, 1999, was by and large peaceful except in Assam where suspected ULFA
militants left a bloody trail targeting party workers and candidates. [AT]
All eyes on Mahanta-Bora battle
GUWAHATI, May 7: Electioneering by and large remained a low-key affair in the four constituencies
of Guwahati East, Guwahati West, Jalukbari and Dispur, particularly in Guwahati East constituency.
Altogether 41 candidates are in the fray in these four constituencies in and around the capital city.
Prominent among the candidates are Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (Dispur), Atul Bora (Dispur), Bhrigu
Kumar Phukon (Jalukbari), Capt Robin Bordoloi (Dispur), Himanta Bishwa Sharma (Jalukbari), Biraj
Kumar Sharma (Guwahati East), Pankaj Bora (Guwahati East), Ramendra Narayan Kalita (Guwahati
West), Hemanta Talukdar (Guwahati West), Ramen Deka (Jalukbari), Chittaranjan Patowary (Guwahati
East and Dispur). [AT]
Sushma asks Renupama to make way for Dulal
JORHAT, May 7: In a piquant first-ever situation following the AGP-BJP seat-sharing
pact, Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj today sent alarm bells ringing in
the AGP camp by calling upon the party's Teok candidate Renupama Rajkhowa to withdraw from
the electoral race in the "greater interest" of alliance partner and senior politician Dulal Baruah. [AT]
Tough fight for AGP in Chaygaon
CHAYGAON, May 7: It will not be smooth sailing for Health Minister Dr Kamala Kalita in the
Chaygaon Assembly constituency from where he was elected for three consecutive terms, while,
the poll prospects of Soil Conservation Minister Akan Rabha improved in the Dudhnoi
constituency following the support extended to him by the All-Bodo Students' Union (ABSU). [AT]
'Threat to voters is a problem of governance'
By Ajit Patowary
GUWAHATI, May 7: Rigging, influencing the voters with money and muscle power, terrorising the
people to remain mute spectators to all the barbaric deeds of the rulers or the real power behind the
throne, have seemingly become the order of the day in India. With the rot setting in, in the polity of this
largest democracy on the earth, is Indian democracy crumbling ? No, democracy has a promising future
in India. [AT]
| ULFA guns down 2
GUWAHATI, May 7: One Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and a Congress workers were killed by
suspected United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) militants at Tihu in Nalbari district last
night. Police sources said that suspected ULFA men opened fire at a group of AGP and
Congress workers who were talking together at Gorbadoul Chowk under the Barama Assembly
constituency. AGP worker Dhireswar Das and Congressman Sansul Ali were killed on the spot,
while another Congress worker Pratap Baishya, who received bullet injuries, has been shifted to
the Guwahati Medical College Hospital for treatment. [AT]
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38 hypersensitive booths in Golaghat
GOLAGHAT, May 7: The civil administration of Golaghat district has taken all measures for the smooth conduct of polls to
the five Assembly constituencies in the subdivision - 93-Bokakhat, 94-Sarupathar, 95-Golaghat, 96-Khumtai and
97-Dargaon. There are a total of 38 hypersensitive and 137 sensitive polling stations in the subdivision. [AT]
Requisition of buses causing immense hardship to city commuters
GUWAHATI, May 7: Ranadeep, an executive with a private concern at Panbazar and a resident of Khanapara in the city,
had to shell out an exorbitant amount of money on Sunday for hiring an autorickshaw from his residence to his workplace and
back again as he had to attend to an emergency call at office. Same has been the case with numerous other commuters in the
city since Sunday due to requisition of a large number of city buses as well as long distance buses by the Kamrup district
administration for election purpose. [AT]
18 hyper-sensitive booths in Duliajan
DULIAJAN, May 7: The Dibrugarh District administration has identified 18 polling centres as hyper-sensitive among the 108 polling centres of Duliajan LA Constituency (118 No.). Among the rest 90 polling centres, 16 polling centres are labelled as sensitive. [S]
Candidate steps down
GUWAHATI, May 7: An independent candidate in Jalukbari constituency here, Dilip Kumar Mahajan, today withdrew from
the race in favour of the Congress nominee. In a statement here Mahajan said that he was withdrawing from the fray abiding by
the directions of Congress general secretary Kamal Nath. [AT]
Army's efforts to restore voters' confidence
GUWAHATI, May 7: With the State being rocked by militant violence aimed at political leaders and activists, the Army has
put in a concerted effort to restore the people's confidence to enable them to exercise their franchise in the May 10 elections.
The Army has achieved major breakthroughs by launching a number of successful operations, pushing the militants to the
wall. The Army's Red Horns Division, deployed in Lower Assam, has killed 11 militants, apprehended 72 more and captured 10
weapons during the last fortnight. Among those killed was a member of the ULFA's dreaded Enigma Group, Bijoy Mech, who
was slain during an encounter in Bongaigaon district last week. [AT]
Night running of trains suspended in Assam
GUWAHATI, May 7: The Northeast Frontier Railway has suspended night running of all passenger trains in Assam from
May 7 to 11, besides either cancelling or rescheduling some other trains, an official release here has said. [AT]
Assam poll scenario
[Editorial, The Assam Tribune, May 8, 2001]
Elections to the Assam Assembly are being held in an atmosphere of unprecedented terrorism and violence and it is now clear that the Chief Election Commissioner erred in assessing the emerging
situation correctly as he was under the impression that the greatest democratic exercise would pass off peacefully without extra-ordinary security arrangements and deployment of paramilitary forces in
more than sufficient number. [AT]
Local issues dominate poll campaign
By R Dutta Choudhury
GUWAHATI, May 8: It is a common practice among the political parties to make tall promises in their election manifestos but on most
occasions the promises made in the manifestos are for the consumption of the media only as the local issues get preference during the poll campaign. [S]
 |
|
An election official with ballot papers and boxes on his way to a polling station.
Asomiya Pratidin photo. |
River patrolling in Jorhat
JORHAT, May 8: River patrolling over the Brahmaputra in Jorhat has been started from today in an effort to thwart militants from
sneaking in and disrupting the election process. Meanwhile, 245 persons have been rounded up in the district to ensure free and fair polls,
Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Ravi Shankar Prasad told press persons here on Monday evening. Booked under Sec 107 of the
CrPC, the step has been taken as a preventive measure, Superintendent of Police PC Saloi said. [AT]
Additional forces deployed in State
GUWAHATI, May 8 : Altogether 258 companies of security forces have been deployed throughout the State for smooth conduct of elections. Of the 258 companies, 173 are
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 35 Border Security Force (BSF), 30 Special Security Bureau (SSB) and 20 companies of Railway Protection Force (RPF). [AT]
AGP sabotaged PM's rally : BJP
GUWAHATI, May 8: That all is not well within the nascent AGP-BJP alliance in the State came out in the fore today with the BJP accusing its ally of deliberately sabotaging the Prime Minister, Atal Behari
Vajpayee's rally in Guwahati last Saturday. State BJP president Rajen Gohain, speaking to scribes informally at the Chandmari ground here before a joint election rally this noon, said that the Prime
Minister was quite annoyed with the poor crowds that the alliance partners could muster for his rally. [At]
Low-key campaign ends in State
GUWAHATI, May 8: The low-key campaign for the May 10 Assembly election came to an end at 4 p.m. today with the political parties and
candidates making last-minute efforts to woo the voters all throughout the day. [AT]
Threat to Assamese culture and identity
Cong securing aliens' interests : Sushma
GUWAHATI, May 8 : Union Information and Broadcasting Minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj today accused the Congress of seeking to secure the interests of foreingers rather than those of
the citizens. She said that the prominent issue during this election should be that of saving the culture of Assam and the entity of the Assamese. Swaraj, a senior BJP leader, who was addressing a news
conference here this morning, said that Congress president Sonia Gandhi's declaration at an election rally yesterday that the Congress would not allow the repeal of the controversial IM(DT) Act showed that
the Congress' sympathies lay with infiltrators rather than with the people of Assam. [AT]
ULFA action group enters Upper Assam dists
JORHAT, May 8: Action Group members of the banned ULFA have entered three Upper Assam distircts armed with rocket launchers to indulge in pre-poll violence and disrupt voting,
intelligence sources said here Monday, reports PTI. A 12-member action group, comprising fresh recruits in the age group of 16-22 years, had fanned out in Jorhat, Sivasagar and
Golaghat districts to indulge in subervisive activities, they said. The ultras are constantly on the move and their hideouts and
harbourers are being changed constantly to avoid detection, the sources said. [AT]
Kamalpur poll scene
Large-scale camp desertion adds new dimension
BAIHATA CHARIALI, May 8: With hardly two days to go for the poll, the pre-election scenario has assumed some new dimensions in the Kamalpur LAC. Latest developments here
reflect large-scale camp desertion by leading functionaries and general voters, particularly in the AGP and Congress-I on a non-official basis. And while those in the AGP are reportedly fed
up with the misrule of its candidate, those presumably to desert the Congress-I are dissatisfied with the candidature of Uttara Kalita who has cut a sorry figure in every election meeting. This
has been an embarrassment for the party and political observers here say that the Congress-I high command made a blunder in choosing her for the fray. [AT]
The right to vote
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune, May 9, 2001]
Sir,
In an ominous run up to the May 10 poll, Assam has witnessed the death of almost 40 people since the poll process started on April 4. May 10 can be aptly termed as judgement
day not only for the people of Assam but also for the whole nation. It is an acid test for the moral integrity of politicians, revolutionaries, student leaders, intellectuals and general public.
Today it is not a choice between AGP-BJP or Congress but whether to remain an Indian or to become a hapless victim of the greater Bangladesh design. More...
Yours etc., SUNIL DHAWAN, Fancy Bazar, Guwahati.
The right to vote (ii)
[Letters to the Editor, The Assam Tribune, May 9, 2001]
Sir,
In the Assembly elections this year for the first time, I shall be entitled to exercise my "right to vote." This will be a long
cherished dream come true for me, for I regarded this as a qualification to becoming a lawful part of the huge
democracy-India! But never ever imagined I, like many others, will be confused over whom to vote? More...
Yours etc., NIDARSHANA SAIKIA, Nagaon College.
Countdown for polls
[Editorial, The Assam Tribune, May 9, 2001]
Electioneering in Assam has reached an intense phase just before the deadline for ending campaigning with both the major contenders focussing attention on the issue of illegal immigration
from across the border. Prime Minister and BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee's reference in his speech at Silchar to the proposal under consideration of the Centre for giving "work permits" to
migrants from Bangladesh who could not be evicted because of certain problems evoked sharp reaction from the Congress (I) headquarters in New Delhi questioning the propriety of the Prime
Minister to reveal it in a campaign speech. [AT]
Violence-marred campaign ends
GUWAHATI, May 8: The campaigning for the May 10 election to the Assam Assembly ended today at 4 p.m., ending over a month of hectic activities of candidates, their supporters, workers and leaders of different political parties. Assam is now all set to go for Thursday's poll.
Today, in the last day of the poll campaign, most of the 907 candidates,including 55 women ,of the 125 constituencies (barring Dibrugarh where election was countermanded following the killing of BJP candidate Jayanta Dutta), all over the State took out processions in their respective constituencies, showing their strength as well as to impress the voters. [S]
Work-permit issue still an idea: Sushma
GUWAHATI, May 8: Information and Broadcasting Minister and senior Central BJP leader Sushma Swaraj today said, scrapping of the controversial IM(DT) Act will not be possible till the BJP increases its strength in the Rajya Sabha. She criticized the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) for its outright rejection of the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee proposal of issuing work permits to Bangladeshi migrants willing to work in Assam. [S]
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Union I & B Minister Sushma Swaraj addressing an election rally at Assam Engineering Institute playground at Chandmari in Guwahati on May 8.
The Sentinel photo. |
SP will dictate terms: Mulayam
SILCHAR, May 8: Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, convener of the People's Front and former Defence Minister, who was here to campaign for the Samajwadi Party candidates, discounted the claims of both the AGP-BJP combine and the Congress to form Government in Dispur. Articulating his views before media persons today at Hotel Indraprastha, the Samajwadi supremo predicted a hung Assembly in Assam and said, "My party will dictate terms in the making of next government at Dispur." [S]
Cong to probe 'secret' killings
GUWAHATI, May 8: The Congress party today declared that it would institute an inquiry about the secret killings of the State within the months of its coming to power. Addressing a press conference here, the Congress general secretary, Mr Kamal Nath said that the State Government was allegedly involved in these so-called secret killings which claimed so many innocent lives. [S]
Last-minute illegal appointments blot AGP copybook
GUWAHATI, May 8 : Although the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) had complained of large-scale illegal/irregular appointment of school teachers by the previous Congress Government, the present Government led by Mr Prafulla Kumar Mehanta has done nothing to undo the wrong-doings of his predecessors. On the contrary, just before the ensuing Assembly elections were announced, the AGP leaders are also alleged to have left no stone unturned to forcibly and illegally appoint a huge number of ME and LP school teachers by throwing to the winds the rules and established procedures for such appointments. We have gathered conclusive proof from various sources through our bureau to establish that the AGP leaders, including the Education Minister, Mr Thaneswar Boro had been over-active to see that the appointments were made as per their whims and dictates. [S]
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