GUWAHATI, May 24 - The public swearing in of the first BJP-led government in the history of Assam witnessed massive attendance of people from across the State. People, mostly supporters and sympathisers of the BJP and its alliance partners, from all nooks and corners of the State headed for the Veterinary College ground at Khanapara, the venue of the event.
The flow of people to the venue started from the morning hours. Even the heat and sun failed to dampen the spirit of the crowd who converged on the ground. Many of the supporters, especially those from far-flung places, had in fact reached the city yesterday itself.
All sections of the crowd, whether women, youngsters or senior citizens, party workers or common people, had huge expectations from the new regime and seemed optimistic about its performance during the next five years.
�What we got during the last 15 years in Assam, was massive corruption, price rise and unemployment. In contrast, during the two years of NDA regime at the Centre nepotism has disappeared. We believe under the BJP-led government of Sarbananda Sonowal, Assam will also be rid of corruption. People wanted parivartan and we are sure the new government will adopt the Gujarat model to help all people progress irrespective of caste, creed and community,� said Dibyajyoti Medhi, a resident of Sarumataria who has been associated with the BJP for a few years and attended today�s event.
He said the new government should prioritise employment generation and curbing corruption. �There are a lot of Central government schemes which, if implemented properly in Assam, can impart skills to the youths, generate a spirit of entrepreneurship and create private sector employment,� Media said.
Similar views were expressed by a cross section of people. Pradip Soladhara and his friends had come all the way from Demow in Sivasagar to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
�People across Assam wanted parivartan. We want a corruption-free Assam. We want employment for the youths of Assam and also protection of the identity of the indigenous people. We are glad that the swearing-in ceremony has been held publicly. The common people have contributed to bring the BJP-led alliance to power and it is only correct that we should be present when it takes charge,� he said.
For the large number of women who also came to the event, the issues of price rise and security seemed to be of paramount importance.
�The Congress regime at Dispur failed miserably in controlling prices. And crimes against women have witnessed a sharp increase in recent years. We are confident the new government will tackle these issues and also provide a clean governance model which will take Assam into the ranks of the most advanced states of India,� said Arati Kalita, who had come from Rangia.
The people did not seem to mind waiting for hours for the ceremony to begin. In view of the heavy VVIP presence, the general public had to walk some distance from the point of disembarcation from buses and other vehicles to reach the venue.
However, diversion of vehicles on some roads, including the National Highway 37, and declaration of �no-parking zone� in some places caused discomfort to people going about their normal business.
