GUWAHATI, March 1 � Hours before the Election Commission of India announced poll dates, the state unit of Communist Party of India (CPI) today predicted a hung Assembly in the forthcoming elections in Assam.
The CPI also declared the first list of candidates to be fielded in as many as 22 constituencies in the State. It also announced a tentative list of another eight candidates to be fielded in the ensuing polls, subject to negotiations with other parties. Interestingly, no woman candidate has featured in the lists announced by the CPI.
Those featuring in the first list include Arup Kalita (Lakhimpur), Haren Barua (Nawboisa), Jatin Bhuyan (Botadraba), Pramode Bhuyan (Kaliabor), Bolo Bora (Bokakhat), Bhogeswar Das (Gohpur), Nagen Kalita (Sootea), Ratul Gogoi (Lahowal), Jatin Phukan (Moran), Pulok Gogoi (Duliajan), Pramode Gogoi (Sivasagar), Drupad Borgohain (Nazira), Kula Das (Titabor), Ramesh Duara (Teok), Bhupen Rabha (Dudhnoi/ST), Giasuddin Ahmed (Bilasipara West), Ragendra Das (Ratabari/SC), Chandan Chakrabarty (Karimganj East), Munin Mahanta (Morigaon), Upen Talukdar (Guwahati East) and Brajendra Das (Dhalai /SC).
Announcing the list, Pramode Gogoi, member, national executive, CPI, told mediapersons that none of the party looks like securing absolute majority, which is why most of them are refraining from striking a pre-poll alliance.
�We had talks with most of the opposition parties, but nothing concrete has come up as yet,� Gogoi said, informing that AGP has ruled out alliance with the CPI stating that the regional party will not tie up with any national party.
The CPI also deliberated on the resolutions adopted at its state executive committee on February 28, which includes the demand for maximum autonomy to Assam by amending the Constitution of India.
�Autonomy should not be limited to transfer of power only and the Government of India will have to ensure that the natural resources of the State such as oil, gas, uranium, forest, tea and water resources of the Brahmaputra are utilized in the interest of Assam,� Gogoi stated, stressing that the head offices of companies operating in the State should be shifted to Assam immediately and local youths be appointed on priority basis.
The executive committee also demanded inclusion of Tai-Ahom, Koch Rajbonshi, Moran, Morak, Chutia and Tea Garden communities in the list of ST (P) in Assam.
It also demanded a high-level enquiry into the recent killing of Bosco Charmaco, president of AASAA at Gossaigaon.
It also welcomed the preliminary talks between the ULFA and the Government of India.
