KOKRAJHAR: A heated exchange of arguments and clashes among supporters of the Congress took place here over the selection of candidate for Kokrajhar seat in the 2024 election. The clashes took place between the supporters of Garjan Mashahary and Pranin Boro at Ranendra Bhavan, Kokrajhar.
Garjan Mashahary is one of the secretaries of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) while Prabin Boro, former president of AASU, was the vice president of BPF but joined the Congress on October 11 in Guwahati. Sources said the name of Garjan Mashahary had figured in the APCC list for probable candidates for 2024 election.
On Friday there was a meeting of the District Congress Committee at Ramendra Narayan Basumatary Bhavan, Kokrajhar to discuss the strategies of the party ahead of 2024 polls. Newly-joined APCC member Prabin Boro along with some of his supporters came to the Ramendra Bhavan on Friday where clashes took place between the two groups over the matter of candidature. The Garjan Mashahary camp said that he has been playing a vital role to rebuilding the base of the Congress in BTC while Prabin Boro being a new commer from BPF, has less influence in the region.
Later talking to reporters, Prabin Boro said he came to the meeting of the party to discuss the important strategies ahead of 2024 polls. He said being a newcomer in the party he had many tasks with the leaders and workers in every level to get introduced and to share the strategies. He also said he had also moral responsibilities to follow the directives of the APCC. “Mobilizing for party ticket is not my agenda and no one will be given ticket if they claim for it as only the APCC or AICC will decide,” he said adding that no one will get ticket without getting a green signal from the party high command.
Meanwhile, Garjan Mashahary said the Congress in BTC became almost invisible and many Congress legislators of Assam and MCLAs of BTC had deserted the Congress and joined the BJP. He said he started to revamp the base of the Congress with some active members and workers. He claimed that gradually, the Congress had picked up its base and at present it has regained its strength. He also claimed that the Congress had become the largest force overtaking the BJP, UPPL and BPF to retake Kokrajhar constituency.
Mashahary said he was associated with the ABSU movement and also played a role in the NDFB peace process and peace talks. He said he could have joined BPF or UPPL but did not do it because these are regional political parties and he wanted to work under a national political party for which he joined the Congress and he was working hard for the improvement of the party.
Also Watch: