GUWAHATI, March 14 - Former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said that all anti-BJP forces must join hands to defeat the ruling party.
�Just like coronavirus is spreading throughout the globe, in India we are witnessing the growth of communal virus... Other viruses do not differentiate between communities. The virus of communalism divides Hindus and Muslims,� Gogoi said while addressing a press conference here.
On the criticism made by the BJP regarding the new bonhomie between the Congress and the AIUDF, Gogoi said, �BJP has no moral right to criticise us. They had joined hands with Badruddin Ajmal earlier.�
Gogoi added that the BJP had joined hands with the AIUDF on a few occasions earlier to field joint candidates for the Rajya Sabha. He added that the saffron party is also running various panchayats at places like Hojai in collaboration with AIUDF.
Gogoi admitted that he had earlier termed the AIUDF �communal� but added, �AIUDF has accepted the Assam Accord. Ajmal is not saying that Muslims who entered Assam post 1971 should be given citizenship. On the other hand, the BJP wants foreigners who came to Assam till 2014 to be given citizenship.�
The former Chief Minister said the political situation in Assam has changed during recent times on account of the CAA. He said that the aim of the Congress is to �defeat the rabid and fanatical communal elements.�
�When I made the �Who is Badruddin� comment in 2006 our party suffered setbacks in upper Assam. But when I refrained from making such comments in 2011 we won handsomely,� said Gogoi.
The former Chief Minister said that the Congress had earlier joined hands with the United Minorities Front (UMF) on occasions.
�Now it is not only with Badruddin Ajmal, we also want CPI, CPI(M), AASU, AGP and all those who believe in democracy and secularism and who are against the CAA to come and join hands with us,� Gogoi said.
