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Cong stages dharna over Rafale deal, price rise

By Correspondent - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

MANGALDAI, Sept 15 - Several hundred members and leaders of Darrang district Congress Committee staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner�s office here today alleging massive corruption to the tune of several thousand crores of rupees while purchasing Rafale fighter jets by the BJP-led Government at the Centre.

The agitators also derided the Government�s failure in addressing the unprecedented rise in prices of essential commodities. The protesters shouted slogans against the Modi Government and displayed banners and placards in support of their demands and asked for a high-level inquiry into the Rafale purchase pact.

Several senior party leaders, including Dalgaon MLA Ilias Ali, former Cabinet ministers Basanta Das and Dr Zoiinath Sarma , former MP Madhab Rajbongshi , president of the District Congress Committee Wahida Begum, Chandan Barua of Congress Seva Dal etc took part in the dharna.

Later, talking to the media, Dr Zoiinath Sarma charged the BJP of indulging in a conspiracy with the Reliance Group and Ambani for siphoning off money from the public exchequer by illegal means for the party fund needed for the ensuing election.

On behalf of the district Congress Committee, a memorandum was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner in this connection. The party, it may be mentioned, has resolved to conduct dharna in all the districts across the State.

IN BISWANATH CHARIALI: Office-bearers and members of Biswanath District Congress Committee registered a strong protest today against the Rafale fighter plane deal and the Government�s inability to control price rise, our Correspondent adds.

A procession was taken out on the occasion throughout the town from the Congress office to the Deputy Commissioner�s office. Hundreds of Congress workers coming from Behali, Gohpur, Kalabari, Borgang etc took part in the protest. The protestors shouted slogans against the governments at the Centre and at the State, asking them not to play with the lives of the common people.

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief Ripun Borah led the protest rally along with the Biswanath district chief Dilip Kumar Baruah and others.

Later, the protesters submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the DC of Biswanath district. The rally was also attended by APCC secretary Premlal Ganju, Nilamani Sharma, AICC member Sanju Baruah and Tushar Borah, among others.