Mahanta8217;s problems mount

If Prafulla Kumar Mahanta feels his second term in office is an accelerated re-run of his first term as Chief Minister of Assam, he would b...

If Prafulla Kumar Mahanta feels his second term in office is an accelerated re-run of his first term as Chief Minister of Assam, he would be right to do so. He appears to have a genius for disappointing all those, supporters and colleagues alike, who helped in the return of his party to power. Nothing has been learned from his earlier experiences or during his years in the wilderness. All over again, serious breaches in the Asom Gana Parishad are threatening the stability of the government. Old rivalries, rather than policy differences, have led to the break with Bhrigu Phukan, who has been dismissed from the primary membership of the AGP. It is no secret Phukan would like to be in Mahanta8217;s chair or that his hopes have been raised by the shadow cast by the letter of credit scandal over the CM. His removal from the AGP was, no doubt, intended to pre-empt any challenge to Mahanta.

Phukan is known to have many supporters among MLAs and some ministers, including the ministers of Education and PWD. While any revolt from within the AGP may have been scuttled, revival of the Natun Asom Gana Parishad, which was formed after Phukan8217;s first break with Mahanta, is clearly on the cards. What is more, a weakened government is certain to have to contend with exacerbation of tribal autonomy issues on top of its patent inability to cope with the agendas of the All Assam Student Union, the ULFA and Bodo militants. The ULFA8217;s abduction of Sanjay Ghosh has shocked all those who know and respect Avard8217;s social work in Assam and elsewhere. It is an utterly senseless act. Having denied reports that Ghosh was drowned, the ULFA should take the next logical step and release him unharmed immediately.

The incident has drawn considerable attention in the country not only because a well-regarded NGO is involved but also because of the continuing suspicion that the ULFA has the backing of some politicians in Assam.The AASU8217;s latest 36-hour all-Assam bandh was successful in precisely the areas of the Brahmaputra Valley where the AGP draws most of its support. This increases the pressures on the Chief Minister to provide answers to the two main demands: that an elected government should not permanently leave law and order responsibilities to the Army and that the law on detection of illegal immigrants does not deal adequately with the foreigners issue. These were election campaign issues and Mahanta must either keep his promises or explain why he is unable to do so. Assam8217;s cumulative social and economic problems have defeated the AGP before and the Congress after it. No one expected Mahanta to thave solutions at his finger tips. But neither did anyone expect the second AGP Government to take so long to get a grip on the situation or to show signs of unravelling so early. On the contrary, the AGP had a lot more going for it this time around. As a partner in the United Front coalition, it has managed not merely prime ministerial visits to the State but definite commitments on the political and economic fronts. That asset may be of little value unless Mahanta can keep his party united and shows more purposefulness in dealing with the State8217;s problems.