Manoj Kr Borthakur
SIVASAGAR, March 24: Junmoni Hazarika, 35, a housewife of Natun Gatanga Gaon, a remote Sivasagar village near Ajan peer’s Dargah in Konwarpur mouza, was busy on her handloom, when this correspondent approached her to ask a few questions in the thick of the electioneering by various political parties.
She said she would certainly cast her vote, but is in a dilemma as to whom she would vote for, as all the candidates have sent their supporters and leaflets with lofty promises. She, however, said that had the present government not supported them with foodstuff during the lockdown, they would have surely starved to death.
Her husband Nitul Hazarika, a Hindu chowkidar of the famous Muslim shrine, supported her and added that he had been living without his Rs 1,500 salary since August 2018, and had the government not floated schemes like Dhan Jan and Orunodoi, his family of five would have been on the streets by now, begging.
Surobhi Rajkumari, the BJP candidate who lost the last elections by a narrow margin, has built up a good rapport with the voters of these fur-flung regions, mostly through the nondiscriminatory government policies. She said the people have seen the development works under the present government, which have changed the entire scenario, and they will surely vote for the saffron party.
Priyada Gogoi, mother of Akhil Gogoi, has also jumped into the campaign bandwagon for her son, which has aroused a lot of sympathy for the KMSS leader. “You know everything and I don’t want to elaborate, and can only beg you to vote for my son,” Priyada Gogoi said in a meeting held in the Railway Station Colony.
Meanwhile, Brihattar Asomiya Yuva Moncha, through a release, has withdrawn its support to Raijor Dal, alleging that the party has distanced itself from its promises.
A shopkeeper at Boliaghat, said dalals have infiltrated all parties but he will likely vote for the Congress this time. Manu Begum (30), a customer, said she will decide on the poll day as to whom she would vote for.
Sivasagar LAC is considered as the most prestigious of all the 126 constituencies in the State due to its over three centuries old heritage of Ahom rule since 1699.
Young and educated INC candidate Subhramitra Gogoi is confident that the voters would not be swayed by emotions or benefits doled out by the BJP. In an interview, Subhramitra said the highly literate voters of the constituency are well aware why they should vote for the Congress.
Till about a week back, Raijor Dal supremo Akhil Gogoi (45) was nowhere in the scene. But, with a few days left for the polling day, Gogoi has emerged as a key factor in the constituency.
