Assam hill polls: Cong points finger at militants

The Congress suffered a major setback in the North Cachar Autonomous Council elections.

The Congress suffered a major setback in the North Cachar Autonomous Council elections. It managed to win only three seats out of 27. The Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), a regional party, and its ally BJP bagged 21 seats. Three seats went to independents.

For the Congress it is a tragic situation as the state is heading for the crucial panchayat elections scheduled later this month. But State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, who is also one of the spokespersons of the Congress-led Government, blamed the militants for having intimidated its nominees and helped the ASDC-BJP combine win. “It was more important that the elections were held. Winning the elections was not our (party’s) top priority,” Sharma said.

The ASDC-BJP combine, however, dismissed the Congress allegations that militants helped them win. “The people were fed up with the rampant corruption that the Congress indulged in. Most of the funds went into pockets of those who were in power,” said ASDC president Prakanta Warisa, who is likely to be elected the chief executive member of the new Council.

Story continues below this ad

Warisa, a former Rajya Sabha member, said the results have also put an end to the family rule of veteran Congress leader Gobinda Chandra Langthasa. “The people of NC Hills wanted an end to the family rule of the Langthasas and it happened,” he said. Gobinda’s eldest son Purnendu, who was killed by militants in June this year, was the chief executive member of the Council for the past five years.

BJP state president Ramen Deka too refuted the Congress allegations. “The people of NC Hills know which party promoted and patronised the militant groups,” he said. The AGP, which did not contest in the NC Hills elections, too congratulated the people for ousting the Congress. “This is the beginning. Just wait and see what happens to the Congress during the panchayat elections,” said AGP leader Chandra Mohan Patowari.

EAM Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Rubio hold bilateral discussions in New York

India23 min ago

Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar and US Senator Rubio met in New York to discuss the 25% tariff on Indian oil imposed by Trump. This was their first in-person meeting since the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting. India and the US also began talks for a trade agreement, with positive discussions during a recent visit by US trade officials to India.

View all shorts

Live Blog