‘BJP’s 100-plus claim is for Cong., not for themselves’

Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, who is an observer for the election-bound Assam, speaks about the party’s poll prospects in the State, discomfort within cadre about the alliance with Badruddin Ajmal’s All India United Democratic Front and dissent by the G-23 group of leaders. Excerpts:

The situation in 2016 was very different from today. The Opposition was a divided house. Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF fought alone, the Left parties were contesting outside the UPA. The BJP, on the other hand, had an alliance with the Bodoland People’s Front. This time, we are a cohesive alliance of six parties while the BPF has walked out of the NDA. Moreover, the BJP has not implemented any of the promises it made five years ago. Didn’t they say they will deport 50 lakh illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. If you look at the statistics given by the Home Ministry, this figure does not even reach thousands, forget about the lofty claim of 50 lakh. They said Bangladesh-India border will be sealed. Did that happen? They said the Citizenship (Amendment) Act will be implemented. Assam voters have rejected the CAA, which is why the Centre is dragging its feet on implementing it. They claimed that they will build an expressway along the Brahmaputra river. Not a single stone has been laid so far. The BJP has nothing to show for its five years in the government. Tell me who is the BJP’s Chief Minister in Assam? Is it Sarbananda Sonowal or Himanta Biswa Sarma? They don’t like each other, they don’t even talk to each other. And both are vying for the CM’s post. Come to think of it, who is the BJP’s CM candidate in West Bengal? Assam voters fondly recall the 15-year rule of Tarun Gogoi ji. It was during his tenure that the State saw progress and peace. Wherever we do not have an incumbent government, the Congress tradition has been to do extensive consultations with the elected MLAs and within the party leadership to pick a Chief Minister. We followed this tradition in Chhattisgarh and the same will be followed in Assam.