Our Correspondents
Top leaders of different political parties are making all efforts to convince voters in their favour as campaigning is at is pick for the first phase of elections on April 4.
Addressing a rally in Amguri today, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said communal harmony in Assam is in danger due to divisive forces. She claimed that Congress government in Assam has worked for upholding peace in the state.
Mrs Gandhi said the state has emerged as prosperous in the past 15 years under Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi’s rule. She accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking away special status granted to Assam.
She also said Mr Modi praised Assam tea but has done nothing to improve condition of tea garden workers whereas Chief Minister Gogoi had increased their wages.
On the other hand Addressing a rally in Duliajan in upper Assam, BJP leader and Union Minister Rajnath Singh said Congress ruled Assam for last 15 years and yet there is nothing to show for it. He highlighted lack of proper infrastructure, roads, employment, housing and electricity as failure of Tarun Gogoi government.
He expressed confidence that BJP will form government and end corruption in the state. Mr Singh said BJP will work for the upliftment of tea garden workers. He said India- Bangladesh border will soon be sealed completely to check infiltration and illegal immigration. Stating that Assam does not lack natural resources, he said power to change the fate of the state is with the people.
BJP leaders and Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Smriti Irani are both holding public meetings in Badarpur, Karimganj North, and Katigorah.
Meanwhile, an officer engaged in Election duty as incharge of one of the Static Surveillance Teams of Hailakandi district was arrested last night. He was arrested following allegations of negligence of election duty. An FIR has been lodged against the officer. A total of 539 candidates are contesting in the first phase where polling will be held for 65 seats on the fourth of April.