Will not allow implementation of CAA in Assam: Rahul Gandhi

GUWAHATI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today said that the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act is an "attack" on the language, history and culture of Assam, and assured that the Congress-led grand alliance or 'Mahajoot' would not allow it to be implemented in the state if voted to power in the ongoing Assembly polls.

Gandhi who was supposed to campaign in Assam today was expected to address rallies. However, due to bad weather, he had to cancel his trip and instead released a video appealing to the voters to exercise their franchise in favour of the 'Mahajoot'.

In a video message, he stated, "Due to bad weather I could not reach you, but my message is clear that with the 'five guarantees', we will take Assam to the path of development and prosperity," he said while appealing to people to vote for the 'Mahajoot' with a huge majority."

As per the schedule, Gandhi was supposed to interact with women at the India Club Ground in Silchar besides addressing a public meeting at the DSA Ground in Haflong. He was also supposed to be present at a public meeting in the Karbi Anglong district.

"I could not reach Assam today due to bad weather, but my and the Mahajot's message is clear. We will take Assam forward on the path of progress and prosperity with the five guarantees," he tweeted while urging the people to support the Mahajoot in large numbers.

Speaking about the other guarantees he reiterated his party's assurance of employing five lakh youth and providing Rs 365 minimum wage to tea garden workers.

A total of 345 candidates are in the fray for the second phase of the polls on April 1. 39 constituencies will be going to the polls in the second phase. The CAA has been in the limelight of the Assam elections, the BJP has shied away from mentioning about it during the first phase. However, ahead of the second phase, the party has stated that the act will be implemented in the state. It needs to be mentioned here that the second phase will be crucial as 15 seats are from Barak Valley which has a predominantly Hindu Bengali population. The assurance of CAA is at the center of vote bank politics.

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