STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Congress has opened its door to the newly formed two regional parties—Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Raijor Dal to forge an alliance in the upcoming Assembly elections to defeat the ruling the BJP.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Ripun Bora said even though the Congress has officially forged an alliance with six other parties, the party is open to contest the upcoming elections with the like-minded parties. He said the Congress is working to chalk out a common minimum programme to contest the election jointly with other parties.
On the other hand, the APCC has raised seven questions on various burning issues to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his Saturday's visit to Assam.
"From the year 1969 Assam has been getting funds as per the Special category status. Why did PM Modi withdraw the Special Category Status of Assam ? People of Assam want know. The withdrawal of Special Category Status by BJP Govt which has led to a loss of around Rs 8400 crores every year has led to the deprivation of Assam from a huge amount of funds for development. The SonowalGovt has been compelled to take loans and make Assam a debt ridden state. Why did PM Modi do this great injustice to Assam?," the APCC questions.
The APCC has also asked the BJP-led government at the Centre about the status of its plan to deport illegal Bangladeshis from Assam.
Bora on Friday clarified that the Congress does not select its chief ministerial candidate even before the elections.
The APCC will stage symbolic protests in petrol pumps across the State against the skyrocketing prices of petrol on Saturday. On February 9 the party will stage a demonstration in front of the office of the Labour Commissioner in the city demanding immediate hike of daily wages of tea workers.