Assam sees Dr Singh as funds’ ticket

With Assam Rajya Sabha member Dr Manmohan Singh set to take over as the next prime minister of the country, it is time for Assam and other states of the Northeast to look forward to availing more funds for the region.

‘‘We are indeed privileged and lucky that an MP like Dr Singh is becoming the prime minister,’’ said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, whose party had sent Dr Singh to the Rajya Sabha for three successive terms beginning 1991. Gogoi has already said that with the Congress forming the next government at the Centre, he will press for a review of the special packages for the region.

The CM is currently in New Delhi trying to get berths for the Assam and Northeast Congress MPs in the new Cabinet. Assam, in fact, is hoping to see at least three of its MPs as ministers, given that the Congress has sent as many as nine members to the new Lok Sabha.

Among the names doing the rounds is Biren Singh Engti, a veteran tribal leader who has wrested the autonomous (ST) seat from CPI(ML) for the first time since 1985 and six-time Jorhat MP Bijoy Krishna Handique.