STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Born and bred in a simple erosion-affected farmer's family without any political background, 27-year-old Ashraful Hussain made it to the 15th Assam Legislative Assembly from Chenga LAC on an AIUDF ticket. He is the youngest legislator in the House now.
His father Jakir Hussain hails from riverine Haripur village under Tarabari Police Station in Chenga LAC in Barpeta district. So far, the Brahmaputra has gobbled up 50 bighas of their parental land.
Right from childhood Jakir Hussain taught Ashraful the art of delivering a speech in public. He made his son use a cylindrical bamboo piece as a make-believe microphone for delivering a speech. He had involvement in social activities at the local level. He did practise writing poems and content pieces. He had schooling at Tarabari High school. He was involved in student politics. He did his Bachelor's in Social Work from IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University). He was undergoing a law degree in Barpeta Law College while contesting the poll.
He has connections to various newspapers and electronic media. He published a magazine named Aaina.When asked by The Sentinel he said that he hadn't thought to be an MLA. He, however, dreamt to be with the people through thin and thick.
"Chenga is a backward LAC. When I kept in touch with the people of Chenga, some people advised me to join politics. On my behalf, Chenga and Barpeta District Committees of the AIUDF talked to their party high command. I got the ticket.
"I'm financially not well off. The people of Chenga helped me by selling their goats, cows, eggs and whatnot. This is something I can't forget. The support from the people was so intense that I came out the winner with a margin of 52,000 votes. Four-time Congress MLA Sukur Ali came out third. I got 60 per cent of the total votes polled in the LAC," Ashraful said.
When asked about his aim with Chenga LAC, he said, "Since independence Chenga is a backward LAC. In five years it's not possible to solve all the problems of the LAC. But then, erosion, education and land documents to the people of the LAC are on my priority list. Since I'm an Opposition MLA, goodwill from the Government is a must for the development of the LAC. The people of each of the panchayats in Chenga LAC can meet me after every two months."
The AIUDF and the Congress had a friendly contest in Chenga LAC in the recent Assembly election.