Change of guards in AASU, Sankar Jyoti Baruah becomes new general secretary

LurinjyotiGogoi quits

Dipanko Kumar Nath re-elected as president

 Position of Dr SamujjalBhattacharjya remains uncertain

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Sankar Jyoti Baruah has become the new general secretary of the All Assam Students' Union (AASU). While Dipanko Kumar Nath has retained the post of the president, the position of the AASU's chief advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya remains uncertain.

The change of guards took place during the 17th general conference of AASU at Duliajaan in Dibrugarh district on Saturday night. Former general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi quit the AASU during the same conference on Saturday after delivering a brilliant and emotional speech. Gogoi played a crucial role by leading the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) movement. Gogoi said that he would continue to work for the cause and interest of indigenous people of Assam from different platforms. "I am going to fight a different war from now," said Gogoi in choked voice.

Amid speculations that Dipanko Kumar Nath might also quit the AASU, Nath, however, retained his position as the president of the students' organisation. Nath too played a crucial role in emboldening the anti-CAA movement. He said that he retained his position following demands and requests made by the AASU members.

The longest serving students' leader, Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya said that he had come to the Duliajan conference to officially retire from the AASU. "But the continuous demand and request of the AASU to cancel my decision to resign has put me in a dilemma. That is why I have sought sometime to take the final call on my decision," said Dr Bhattacharjya.

During the conference, the AASU — which led the historic anti-foreigners' movement — has fixed 40 years as the age limit for its members to serve the organization. As per the amendments, any AASU member or leader who crosses 40 years will have to retire from the organization.

As per other amendments, the terms of the central executive committee of the AASU has been reduced to three years. After every three years, the general conference of the AASU will be held. One has to be a graduate to become a member of the executive committee. Another amendment was made to create a post of 'Chief Advisor' in AASU. The amendments of the AASU's Constitution will come into force with effect from 2023.

The 28-year-old new general secretary of AASU, Sankar Jyoti Baruah said that the AASU has entrusted him with great responsibility. He added, "Carrying out my responsibility for the students' community and the Assamese people with dedication will be the yardstick of my success." Baruah, who hails from Dibrugarh, was associated with the AASU since his school days. He completed his graduation in Economics from Duliajan College. He completed his post-graduation in Social Work, Mass Communication & Journalism from Dibrugarh University.

"Several amendments of the Constitution of the AASU during the Dulijan conference were historic one. We will try to enforce all those amendments to bring about revolutionary changes in the functioning of AASU. The amendments will infuse new bloods in AASU," said Baruah.

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