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Hectic political activities begin in Gossaigaon

By CORRESPONDENT - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

GOSSAIGAON, March 17 � With the BTC elections round the corner, political parties have started hectic activities to retain the six BTC constituencies falling under Gossaigaon subdivision under Kokrajhar district.

The BPF, Congress, BPPF and other independent candidates are trying their outmost to woo the voters by holding public meetings in remote villages. The BPF has already reshuffled the earlier grassroot-level primary committees to streamline its organisation to give a tough fight in the elections to be held on April 9. It has chalked out a series of plans and programmes to make the winning equation easier satisfying the bargaining aspects of the small segment of voters representing especially Adivasi, minority and Koch-Rajbongshi communities falling under Guma, Saraibil, Srirampur, Dotoma, Kachugaon and Jamduar BTC constituency in Gossaigaon subdivision.

The BPF has not yet declared the name of its candidates except for Kachugaon seat in which the sitting EM Sabharam Basumatary will contest for the second time. The other aspiring contestants are running from pillar to post in their bid to get the party ticket.

In this regard, the fate of Lakhiram Tudu, sitting MCLA from Srirampur and Rajendra Narzary sitting MCLA from Saraibil constituency are not yet ascertained as the local primary committees and other party rivals have vehemently opposed their getting tickets for the second time.

Meanwhile, the Congress here has decided to put up candidates for Guma, Fakiragram and Srirampur seats. Party sources disclosed that their candidate Christom Tudu who is backed by the AASAA, ACMA and Adivasi Aikhya Mancha has the ability to wrest Srirampur from his arch rival Lakhiram Tudu, the sitting EM. The Congress has not yet declared the name of its candidates for Guma and Fakiragram seats. The Adivasi organisations have demanded of the BTC chief and BPF supremo to give three berths for the Adivasis.

It may be mentioned that this time, the minority factions and organisations are also keen to contest in the ensuing BTC election for Srirampur, Guma and Fakiragram constituencies. Although, the RMC, AAMSU, ABAMSU, BRMDC and BMF earlier demanded of the BPF party to accord at least three seats for the minorities in those constituencies where they have absolute majority. But minority leaders regret that their hopes and aspirations have been nipped in the bud as the BPF rejected their plea to provide tickets to minority candidates in the BPF.

As a result, all minority non-political bodies including AAMSU and ABAMSU have jointly formed Sankhyalagu Aikhya Mancha to contest in the ensuing BTC election. For this, a series of open public meetings were held on March 7, 12 and 15 at Habrubill ME School, KVK Farmers� Hostel and RARS Conference Hall . Finally, it constituted a 25-member coordination committee to closely observe the activities of all political parties on the issue of representation of minority candidates as per demographical structure of the voters. It is learnt that the Aikhya Mancha will contest for Srirampur, Guma and Fakiragram seats this time. It is worth mentioning that the Guma and Fakiragram constituencies comprise highest number of minority votes and the Srirampur constituency occupies second highest Muslim votes.

On the other hand, the Koch-Rajbongshis at Gossaigaon Civil subdivision have maintained silence to take part in the BTC election. The only candidate whose name is being taken by the voters here is that of Green Ch Roy from Fakiragram seat.

The overall electioneering enthusiasm is not yet clear before the voters until and unless nominations are filed by the parties. Hence, the ground picture of electioneering is still obscure before the voters for the said constituencies. It has been reported that no candidate has filled nomination till the filing of this report.