GUWAHATI, Nov 5 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today left for New Delhi for a three-day visit during which he is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss a host of state-specific issues.
�He left this evening and will return on Thursday. He may meet the PM tomorrow or day after�depends on when he gets the appointment,� an official said.
The CM�s Delhi visit comes amidst a renewed agitation in the State over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill issue and an uproar over privatization move of NRL.
Besides, Sonowal is also likely to discuss the impact of a possible peace pact with the Naga outfits on Assam, progress of the talks with ULFA, NDFB and other militant groups in Assam and the big dam issue.
NESO and AASU have already announced series of agitational programmes over the CAB, after the BJP government said that it will bring back the Bill in Parliament.
The proposed privatization of the profit-making BPCL, of which NRL is a part, has also triggered protests in the State. As several organizations, including the AASU and opposition Congress registered their opposition to the move, the NRL Employees Union has sought intervention of the State government. Chief Minister Sonowal had last month dashed off a letter to the Centre to clarify about the apprehensions.
On the other hand, a lot of apprehensions have been expressed over the ongoing Naga peace talks, especially over the demand for �integration� of the Naga dominated areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
Reports indicated that the Central government may offer �autonomous councils� in the Naga inhabited areas of the three states.
However, in a recent press statement, the Central government had said � a lot of rumours and misinformation� was being spread in the media over the final settlement and that all the stakeholders, including the three neighbouring states would be consulted, before finalizing the settlement.
The expansion of Sonowal�s ministry may also figure in the discussions.
