Can Barak Democratic Front pose challenge to national parties?

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Confronted with this question from The Sentinel, Pradip Dutta Roy, a well known leader of Barak Valley and founder of All Cachar Karimganj and Hailakandi Students' Association (ACKHSA), replied with aplomb, "Assembly elections of 2021 are not far off. Wait for the results. It will be apparent." What makes him so confident is clear from what he says about the formation or floating of new political party.

The parties in reckoning, BJP, Congress and AIUDF, have failed to meet the hopes and aspirations of people of the valley. Since BDF will be a regional Barak based party, its focus will be on socio-economic development and to fight against deprivation, discrimination and negligence on many counts by Dispur. People want new political platform which can best serve the interest of the valley. It will be different and truly people-oriented.

Former ACKHSA leader decided to go for the political decision because he was enthused by the response of cross sections of people to make definite move in this direction. And when he has jumped into the fray, he is preparing with his band of comrades from the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi. "People will be with us," PradipDutta Roy said assertively. The road map for taking the party to people will be ready in a week with the formation of committees from the district to the grass root levels. Charter of demands is being readied and will be released at a press meet to let the masses know.

Assam JatiyataParishad (AJP) formed jointly by AASU and AJCYP has no base in this valley. Moreover, it stands in contradiction to the burning issues of CAA and Clause VI as understood and envisaged by people here. It might throw challenge to major political parties in Brahmaputra Valley. About its prospect, he has nothing to say except that all his best wishes for AJP. Will people turn their back on the most powerful political force BJP in the valley? Reasons are discussed in public and even within the party circles, Dutta Roy pointed out.

BJP is no more a political party with a difference. Who is running the syndicates in black diamond, Burmese betel nut, fertilizers, sand, stone and timber, he asked? Voters are discreet enough to understand and will give befitting reply in ballot boxes. In fact, people are disillusioned with BJP, Congress and AIUDF. Except Congress MLA KamalakhaDeyPurkayastha of North Karimganj, all the other 14 MLAs have very dismal performance in the Assembly. They fought shy of raising the issues and problems of the valley.

Citing instances of deprivation of unemployed youths of the valley, Dutta Roy said of the 5000 TET teachers appointed, only 25 got the chance. Only 5 nurses were selected from here whereas 300 got appointments across Assam. None got appointment in agriculture department against 167 selected. Assam University is producing 200 to 250 Master degree holders every year. They have no prospect of job due to the step motherly attitude of the government in power. All this has created space for a new political party, said Pradip Dutta Roy.

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