After Punjab, AICC might turn to Assam to settle issues

Four-time MLA from Mariani Assembly seat in Assam Rupjyoti Kurmi has said that younger leaders like him had been sidelined in Assam Congress. He even charged that the party's central leadership was responsible for its repeated electoral failures in different states.

New Delhi: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) which is presently engaged to douse the infighting in Punjab Congress, may soon turn to Assam following unrest in this State unit too.

A section of leaders from Assam Congress has been vehemently demanding the removal of the incumbent Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief Ripun Bora. They feel that it's high time that central leadership should intervene in the matter "before it further deteriorates."

It may be mentioned here that four-time MLA from Mariani Assembly seat in Assam Rupjyoti Kurmi has recently resigned from the party and joined BJP.

Kurmi has said that younger leaders like him had been sidelined in Assam Congress. He even charged that the party's central leadership was responsible for its repeated electoral failures in different states.

When contacted, Bobbeeta Sharma, chairperson of APCC media department told ETV Bharat in an exclusive interview that the essence of democracy is that it gives credence and respect to divergent views.

"Assam Congress has many capable leaders and it is for the central leadership to take into consideration these divergent views and take a decision. That does not mean that there is a leadership crisis," said Sharma.

When asked about the party's poor show in the last Assembly election, Sharma said that whenever results are not as expected every party needs to do in-depth analysis and introspect.

"Already a high-level committee was formed under the chairmanship of senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan and they have submitted their report to the party high command," said Sharma.

If insiders in State Congress are to be believed many other leaders are also planning to leave the party to join BJP.

"I will wait for a few more days. If there is no involvement of the central leadership of the party to settle our grievances, we may think over retaining with the party," said a senior Congress leader who did not wish to be named.

Bobbeeta Sharma, however, accused the BJP of instigating infighting in Congress.

"We have been witness to how the BJP party poached MLA's and brought down Congress government in many states. This is not a new thing. It is their policy to not let opposition exist in a democracy. The BJP does not like anybody to question them," said Sharma.

Another important aspect of BJP is that they are known to get people from other parties by blackmailing them by threatening to put Enforcement Directorate (ED) etc on them, she said.

When asked about the issue of leadership change in State Congress, Sharma said that the incumbent president has already tendered his resignation after the election results were declared.

"He was asked to carry on by central leaderships till a new president is appointed," added Sharma.

She said that the party needs to reconnect with the masses by being more articulate in its communication with the people on various issues that plunged the nation.