ASDC heading for a vertical split

DIPHU, July 22: Since the day it was formed on May 17, 1986, Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) probably faced worst ever crisis today as its two powerful leaders Jayanta Rongpi and Holiram Terang are at loggerheads. In fact, the crisis has virtually split the ASDC into two groups sans the formalities. The common Karbi people's dream for a separate autonomous state within the state of Assam lies shattered as the ASDC stalwarts are engaged in a power struggle within the party. It is yet to be answered what actually triggered the bitter conflict between Rongpi and Terang, both of whom are also central committee members of the CPI(ML) which floated its left democratic front ASDC in 1986. Although the conflict is being attributed to corruption charges levelled against Rongpi by Holiram Terang and his group including the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) chief executive member, Jotson Bey, but there is more to it than meets the eye. For Rongpi, "It is a major set-back to the ASDC. A clash of ideology has extended to personal level". Rongpi says difference of opinion among the leaders is bound to emerge which should be resolved within the party. He pointed out that the CPI(ML) leadership has evolved a five-point package to resolve the crisis and Terang agreed to it. "I feel betrayed as Terang has now back-tracked from his position vis-a-vis the five-point package", Rongpi maintains. But Terang says "the contentious issues are yet to be resolved in the CPI(ML) forum. So, how can it be resolved in the ASDC forum". Therefore he declined to even acknowledge the decisions arrived at the ASDC standing committee meeting on July 20 last and which were later endorsed in the central committee of the ASDC later in the day. Seven members including Terang did not attend the standing committee meeting while 22 members belonging to "Holiram group" abstained from the central committee meeting. The standing committee has total 17 members while the central committee has 47 members. The major decisions, which are basically aimed at resolving the present crisis, taken in the two meetings on July 20 last included removal of Rongpi and Terang as the president and the general secretary of the ASDC and replacing them with CK Terang and Hem Sing Tisso, respectively. Jotson Bey has been asked to resign from the post of the KAAC Chief Executive Member and take up the job of secretary chief of Hamren district committee of the ASDC. The newly-selected president of the ASDC, CK Terang says the decisions are the need of the hour to strengthen the party at the grassroot level at this crucial juncture. However, Holiram Terang looks uncompromising. He says, "The decisions of the ASDC meeting on July 20 are not necessarily binding on us as the issues are yet to be resolved in the CPI(ML) forum". "We still feel that we are the ASDC. So whatever meeting held on July 20, we do not accept as the ASDC meeting as we are not part of it. As a general secretary of the party I was not consulted on holding standing committee and party central committee meeting on July 20", he added. So, when asked to specify whether the ASDC had already split, Terang only said, "It is upto you to interpret". Whether, Jotson Bey will relinquish the post of the CEM in the KAAC as per the decision of July 20 meeting? Terang's reply is, "Let there be a no-confidence motion in July 25 session of the KAAC against Bey and see whether he survives it or not". Meanwhile, hectic efforts are being put by both the rival groups in the ASDC to muster support of majority Members of Autonomous Council to show their strength on the floor of the Council on July 25 next. If there is a no-confidence motion against Jotson Bey, the CEM, it will be an acid test for not only for the rival groups but also the ASDC as a whole. However, the newly-selected president of the ASDC, CK Terang is still hopeful that for the sake of Karbi people's struggle for an autonomous state the 'disgruntled members' of the party will bury their hatchet so that the autonomy movement is not derailed after it started 24 years back. The new ASDC president declines to accept existence of two groups in the party led by Rongpi and Terang. However, he admits that there are differences among some of the top leaders of the party. Similar is the case with front organisations of the ASDC including the Karbi Students Association (KSA), Dimasa Students Union (DUS), North Cachar Hills Students Federation (NCHSF). These organisations are still not willing to accept that Rongpi and Terang have fallen apart and the ASDC is heading for a vertical split. The KSA general secretary, Long Sing Tokbi says, "I do not think leader like Holiram Terang will want ASDC to split. The present crisis is because of differences within the party which will be resolved soon". In a day-long meeting on July 21 joint standing committee of ASDC, KSA, DSU and NCHSF although endorsed the decisions taken in ASDC meeting on July 20 last, did not press for disciplinary action against those leaders who had gone to press while bringing charges of corruption against Rongpi. Probably these organisations are soft peddling on disciplinary action against those leaders as they feel there is still hope for patch up.