GUWAHATI: In a sharp rebuke to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah on Friday, April 18, accused the government of intentionally delaying Panchayat elections and undermining the Panchayati Raj system.
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Addressing the media after releasing the party manifesto for the upcoming elections, Borah alleged that the BJP had no intention of empowering local governance and only acted after public pressure forced their hand nearly a year later. “The BJP government failed to provide even 100 days of work to job card holders,” said Borah, highlighting that just 6,200 individuals had received the guaranteed 100 days of employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) during the BJP’s tenure.
Borah unveiled key promises from the Congress manifesto, which include providing 100 days of work for all job card holders at a revised daily wage of ₹400. He further pledged to complete all pending houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and ensure the timely disbursement of funds to Panchayats for grassroots development.
He criticised the BJP’s governance, stating that apart from schemes such as Lakhpati Baideo and Orunodoi, no substantial development had reached the village level. Among the Congress’s major promises are:
- A monthly grant of ₹3,500 to economically disadvantaged women under a new scheme named Lakshmi
- Empowerment of women through robust implementation of Lakhpati Baideo
- Promoting self-reliance among the common populace.
- Filling up of all the vacant posts in the Panchayat and regularisation of jobs of temporary contractual employees
Responding to allegations of financial transactions in candidate selection, Borah admitted that 17 complaints had been received from five districts. He said he had recommended to AICC in-charge Jitendra Singh the formation of an enquiry committee and proposed the names of Gaurav Gogoi, Pawan Singh Ghatowar, and Debabrata Saikia as members. He assured that strict action would be taken if any charges were proven.
When pressed by a journalist on the matter, Borah criticised the silence surrounding alleged financial misconduct by BJP leaders. “No one dares to speak up about Pijush Hazarika receiving money from the syndicate or about Padma Hazarika’s scandal,” he said.
Raising broader concerns about the state of democracy in Assam, Borah remarked, “Shouldn’t Assam have a functioning opposition? This government wants to turn Assam into another Bihar or Tripura. They are using money power, muscle power, and even the police to harass our candidates, fearing the loss of the Chief Minister’s chair.”
Regarding the ongoing efforts for opposition unity, Borah clarified that the meeting had no connection to the Panchayat elections and said, “We will see the results after May 11.”
On internal dissent, specifically allegations made by party worker Sufia Begum regarding favouritism, Borah dismissed the claims, stating, “Every member of the party is close to me; there is no particular favourite.”
