GUWAHATI, Dec 14 - Former Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Minister Dr Zoiinath Sarma joined the Congress at a function held at the Rajiv Bhawan here in the presence of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi this morning.
Joining the Congress, Dr Sarma said he supports the secularism upheld by the Congress and rejects the Gujarat model of development of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has now been denounced by the majority of the Gujarati people.
Sarma also said that he does not support the intolerant attitude and communal politics of the BJP.
Moreover, he said, the Congress provides one with the scope to work for the regional interest unlike the BJP.
Welcoming Dr Sarma to the fold of the Congress, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi described the former as an experienced politician. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Anjan Dutta said that Dr Sarma's joining the Congress would strengthen the secular forces.
Meanwhile, talking to The Assam Tribune, Sarma said that he had decided to join the Congress as the people of Assam rejected regional forces in the last three State Assembly elections. He pointed out that among the national parties, the Congress had asserted that it would not compromise on the Assam Accord, while, the BJP had violated the Accord. Moreover, he said that he wanted to join a secular party.
Sarma admitted that he had been criticizing the Congress from his student days, but in the changed situation, his only option was to join the Congress as it is a secular party. However, he claimed that even after joining the party, he would keep fighting on the issues concerning the people of Assam.
