GUWAHATI, Jan 1 � The crisis that Assam and the entire North East is looking at the moment is lack of able political leadership to lead the region. This was the observation of Prodyut Bora, BJP national executive member on Wednesday while delivering the Guwahati Press Club (GPC) lecture.
Bora argued that this situation is far more damaging to the future of the State and its people than any other problems often cited in popular circles.
�When we talk of problems plaguing Assam, we talk about flood and erosion, insurgency, agriculture, unemployment among others, but we often do not stop to question whether they are genuine problems or
symptoms of a bigger malice. The problems that are cited, are not even considered anymore in many other countries of the world, which had faced similar situations and emerged triumphant,� he said. Referring to the various forms of leadership, Bora discussed at length about political leadership or the lack of it thereof in present day Assam. He said that although there are a bevy of leaders that represent Assam in the Parliament, they have not been able to get their voices across to the Central Government, for which Assam continues to suffer. He went on to add that the country does not run on emotions but on logic and reasoning and the popular forms of protests employed by leaders in Assam often fail to hold sway with the Central Government.
Bora also rubbished claims from several quarters that Assam leaders find themselves disadvantaged because of language barrier and said the mark of a true leader is what he delivers in his speech, not how.
�We often find brazen behaviour from our leaders at times when they should act with self confidence,� he said.
Bora also alluded to the growing hereditary leadership which is rapidly strengthening its grip in most political parties and questioned the exuberance over the purported emergence of youth leadership, most of who are products of hereditary politics.
In this regard, he referred to the work of Patrick French where he talks at length about dynastic politics in India. As a common man, Bora expressed hope at the emergence of Aam Admi Party in Delhi which has effectively shown the power of the average Indian voter, although he expressed reservations about their performance in Assam, while lamenting the excessive use of alcohol and money power in the electoral process.
Talking about bringing a change in the system, he said that changes need to be made in people, process and technology to ensure transparency which is the greatest enemy of corruption.
Bora, while insisting for the need for a collective inspiration, said that the Assamese can take pride in the only �male� river in the world, the mighty Brahmaputra, which originates in Tibet, passing through the north-eastern states before culminating in the Bay of Bengal and affecting millions of lives in three countries. He also referred to Dr Bhupen Hazarika as a source of inspiration, whose creations can be compared to the contributions of any �legendary genius� across the globe. According to him, a successful leader should be able to inspire the common people for collective good of the society.
He, however, lamented the shortsightedness of the present leadership in Assam and said efforts should be made to ensure Assam exploits her natural competency through industries that benefits her economy in a sustainable manner.
