Guwahati: CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury today said Left and secular forces have a very good prospect in 2016 Assam Assembly elections as people are “disillusioned” with both Congress and BJP governments.
“The CPI(M), Left and secular forces have a very good prospect in 2016 state elections in the present situation of Assam. A very deep political churning is taking place,” Yechury told reporters here.
The people of Assam are “disillusioned” with the Tarun Gogoi-led state government as well as the Narendra Modi-led Central government, he added.
“In this scenario, the only coherent force is the Left and secular force. It is up to us and state leadership on how to utilise the situation,” Yechury said.
He said the party's central leadership is guiding the state unit in identifying local issues along with national problems to fight for and also to compel the government to change its anti-people policies.
Talking about the recent withdrawal of subsidized foodgrains for tea garden workers in Assam, Yechury said it was done to benefit the owners.
“Giving of subsidised foods is a part of wage agreement between workers and owners. Historically it was a tripartite agreement between workers, owners and government. By taking away the food ration, a huge burden is imposed on workers, who constitute a large portion of Assam's population,” he added.
Stating that the reversal of the policy is a big concern, Yechury said CPI(M) will take up the issue in Parliament.
Talking about North East, the senior leftist leader said, “The region has lot of potential and resources. North East environment is conducive for development. But the new government at Centre is suddenly reversing many old policies for the region.”
Yechury said suspension of new schemes under the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP) will affect the industrial growth of the region.
“The Railways said there will be no second rail bridge over Brahmaputra in Guwahati as it is not remunerative. Now railway is a national resource and it cannot be always remunerative as connectivity is more important. CPI(M) has been demanding a second rail bridge along with the upcoming second road bridge,” he added.
Yechury said the party has been maintaining that the controversial Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Project along Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border should be constructed after a proper assessment of its impact on environment and in downstream areas.
He also said its water should have multi-purpose usage like power generation, irrigation and drinking water supply.
“What we have seen in these months that the treatment of BJP government at Centre towards North East is not fair. They are holding or withdrawing all previous policies concerning the region. We are going to take up these issues in the Parliament,” the Rajya Sabha member said.
