SILCHAR, March 26 - A day before the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Barak Valley, Silchar District Congress committee has raised the issue of Assam Accord of 1985 seeking answers from the Prime Minister.
Speaking to journalists at the Indira Bhawan, Silchar MP Susmita Dev sought answers from Narendra Modi on whether he is trying to make Assam a Bengali-free state by implementing Section 6 (A) of the historic Assam Accord signed between the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and leaders of All Assam Students Union (AASU).
�BJP�s Vision Document has clear mention of the implementation of the Assam Accord including Section 6 (A). Is Prime Minister trying to turn Assam into a Bengali-free state,� Susmita questioned saying that the if BJP has wishes to defend the security of the displaced Hindu Bengalis, it must have made it clear that once voted to power, they are going to scrap the section, which unfortunately they did not.
On being asked can the Congress shy away from its responsibility of the contents of the Accord, Susmita replied, �History cannot be changed. There is a need to revisit the Assam Accord. In 2011, Abdul Muhib Majumder had echoed in the floor of the Assembly that there is a need to relook at the Act.�
Throwing challenge to BJP�s Chief Ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal, Susmita said that he must answer what forced the government to divert Rs 38.3 crore as transport subsidy for the Cachar Paper Mill at Panchgram and will the working capital of Rs 200 crore ever be sanctioned. What ails the government to resume the cement factory here when there is the facility of broad-gauge train service available, she asked. Confident about bagging maximum seats, Susmita said, �The poll manifesto issued by the BJP has made the picture very clear that on May 19, Congress will have the last laugh.�
On the other hand, BJP state general secretary Dr Rajdeep Roy claimed that the stand of the BJP is absolutely clear on the issue and the notification issued on September 7 was the first step towards granting citizenship to Bengali Hindus. �It is rather unfortunate to see the confused stand of the Congress party on the issue, �Roy said.