Assam Finance, Health & PWD Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is in the Barak Valley to campaign for the second phase of Panchayat poll in Assam, on Thursday said after the loss in the last Lok Sabha and Assembly polls, the Congress would now lose the Panchyat polls too.
Sarma, who is also the convenor of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), said this during election rally in Machghat under Hailakandi district of Assam.
Also read: BJP most corrupt party in country: Tarun Gogoi
Referring to a press conference called by former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Minister Sarma said, “Tarun Gogoi called for the press conference in Guwahati today to vilify me as he has understood that after losing last parliamentary and State Assembly elections in Assam, they (Congress) are going to lose panchayat elections too.”
Stating that the BJP is going to win the panchayat elections, he said “being scared, he (Tarun Gogoi) is saying all these things”.
Gogoi, while speaking to media persons during a press conference in Guwahati on Thursday slammed the BJP for using helicopters for campaign in panchayat elections.
Gogoi termed the BJP the most corrupt party in the country given the way the saffron party spent so much money in panchayat election in the State including heavy expenditure for engaging helicopters in the electioneering.
Gogoi also said: “The BJP came to power shouting slogans against corruption indulged in by the previous Congress government in the state and its government in Assam often trumpets its ‘zero tolerance’ to corruption. However, could such a party spend so generously for campaigning in panchayat polls. It is the most corrupt party in the country.”
Sarma said: “Tarun Gogoi did politics of lungi and dhuti distribution. We also can do it, but what purpose will it serve. So, we have done things which all of you can see,” adding, “If possible, Tarun Gogoi would change their party symbol from hand to ‘dhuti-lungi’.”
The election rally at Machghat also witnessed around 4000 people from seven villages in and around Tapang Block making a beeline to hear what he had to say, especially on the Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
He said, his party’s stand is clear on this issue and “no one should play dirty politics over it”.
Uploading a few images of his election campaign meeting in Hailakandi on his facebook page, Minister Sarma on Thursday stated: “Refreshed by the energy of the youth of Hailakandi as they come out in large numbers to support BJP, Assam Pradesh. Our ability to transform infrastructure and build opportunities has renewed their faith. This Panchayat Elections, the youth will choose progress.”