Dilip Kumar, an Independent candidate for the Silchar Lok Sabha seat, has since withdrawn his nomination and has decided to support the saffron party!
Kumar did a U-turn – first he filed his nominations for the impending general elections as an Independent candidate with the support of ‘Khilanjia Mancha’ on March 25 last – only to withdraw it and support the BJP!
Kumar had vowed to oppose the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, tooth and nail with the help of ‘Khilanjia Mancha’ but later did a complete volte-face and is now swearing allegiance to the BJP.
He did this U-turn without the approval and support of the ‘Khilanjia Mancha’.
Speaking to Northeast Now, Kumar said, “The health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met me and assured that the BJP government would work largely to protect the interests of the Adivasi community. I cannot reveal the details of the same as the model code of conduct is in place. Hence, I decided to join the saffron party.”
Dilip Kumar is the convenor of the Rashtrabhasa Chai Janajati Unnayan Mancha. The ‘Khilanjia Mancha’ is “fuming and fretting” over Kumar withdrawing his nomination and deciding to support the BJP.
He added, “The chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal also requested me to withdraw my nomination for which I have done so. My organisation – Rashtrabhasa Chai Janajati Unnayan Mancha – has supported this decision of mine and we have all decided to support the BJP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.”