AGP State conference: Mahanta's call to root out Congress

NAGAON, February 1: President of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who is also the Chief Minister of the State, today made a clarion call to the people to "root out the Congress" for the greater interest of the State. Addressing a large gathering at the Nurul Amin Stadium play ground here this afternoon on the occasion of the conclusion of the fourth four-day State conference of the AGP, Mahanta also held the Congress responsible for the underdevelopment of the State. "It is the Congress, which is now requesting the Central Government to stop the flow of the DRDA fund to the State so that the AGP-led Government in the State fails to undertake any rural development scheme," Mahanta said and appealed to the people to remain vigilant against the 'evil designs' of the Congress. In this contest, he claimed that while the AGP stands for progress, the Congress is after blocking the path of development for its narrow political interest. But, despite the obstructions from various quarters, AGP has remained committed to accelerate the process of development of the State, he said and accused the Congress for 'fuelling corruption'. To substantiate his allegation, Mahanta said that during 1994-95 Congress was taking recourse to corrupt practices in matters of appointment of teachers. Commenting on the process of industrialisation of the State, he said that the AGP-led State Government had undertaken steps to encourage the young entrepreneurs. "We are also trying to open some new trade routes with the neighbouring countries in order to facilitate export and import. Once these routes are opened, the State will be able to garner more revenue," he said. He also appealed to the youths of the State to go for industries instead of hankering after jobs and reminded them of the State Government's Rs 32-crore scheme for the unemployed youths. Referring to the insurgency problem of the State, Mahanta said that the AGP had been facing criticism for its efforts to root out insurgency, but the AGP is committed to fight out the insurgents with a firm hand as restoration of peace in the State is a top priority for the party, he said, adding, "militancy and development do not go hand in hand and hence the State Government has to opt for bold steps while tackling insurgency." The stadium play ground today witnessed streams of people converging on it from various parts of the State. The streams of people started gathering at the playground from early morning to attend the open session of the AGP State conference. Several senior leaders of the AGP, including Nurul Hussain, Pradip Hazarika, Gunin Hazarika, Phani Bhusan Choudhury and Joyashree Goswami Mahanta, attended the open session. Earlier, a colourful cultural programme was organised by some local troupes. Members disappointed: A section of the AGP members was disappointed as some of the aspirant members were denied any berth in the newly formed central committee of the party. The disappointed members said that the selection procedure for the central committee members was such that it would lower the image of the party in the eyes of the people. Meanwhile, bowing to pressures from various district committees of the party, AGP supremo Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had to raise the number of party general secretaries and vice-presidents by using his discretionary power in an apparent bid to keep the party district committees in good humour before the ensuing election to the State Assembly. A senior leader of the party, on condition of anonymity, told this correspondent that Mahanta would form the party steering committee inducting several senior leaders of the party with an aim at improving the party's functioning in the days to come.