Skip to content Skip to navigation

Hopeless MPs in poll bound BJP!

By AT News |

All is not well with BJP six months ahead of the assembly polls. One after another embarrassment awaits the poll bound party. From big dam to land boundary, rolling red carpet for Bangladeshis to internal bickering, the party has many hurdles to be crossed to reach the people. Same scene is clear in Congress. Riddled with revolt and alleged corruption by a section of ministers, the party hopes against the hopes just at the threshold of the assembly polls after the end of the third consecutive terms. With a slew of questions we approached Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) founder leader Prodyut Bora for an assessment of the state’s pre poll political landscape. Have a look....

Assam Times: Delhi and Dispur are trading charges and counter charges against each other over the central assistance for flood. Whom do you blame for it?

Prodyut Bora: I blame both the Centre and the State for the current impasse over flood relief. I blame the Centre because they have failed to come up with a comprehensive solution for the flood problem; they are content handing out annual doles. I blame the State because they have consistently failed to give proper accounts of relief funds. The perception is that most relief funds are pocketed by an unholy nexus of politicians, bureaucrats and contractors.

Has the Centre really reduced the amount of funds to the North east? How will it impact the process of development?

The Northeast has 4% of India's population, but has 10% of the budgetary allocation. But this is only an allocation; it is up to the states to deploy these funds. If the states are unable to spend their budgetary allocation, it is their fault, not the Centre's. Secondly, all Central funds are handed out in tranches. Almost all Northeastern states fail to give proper accounts of the initial tranches, as a result of which further payments are withheld by the Centre.

There is no dearth of excuse for the Centre for inordinate delay in the completion of the Gas cracker and Bogibeel project? Is it a political calculation of the NDA government?

It may not be a political calculation, but definitely an example of incompetence. If the Narendra Modi government spent half as much time in following-up delayed projects that it spends in sloganeering and propaganda, a lot more could have been achieved. Narendra Modi needs to talk about Kaam Ki Baat rather than Maan Ki Baat.

Will the economic decisions of the Centre help Congress brighten the poll prospect as it has been opposing the suspension of the NEIIP.

It would adversely impact the BJP, but given the Congress' record it is unrealistic to expect that they would benefit from BJP's failures. My guess is that people would look for other alternatives.

What is your assessment on the one and a half year performance of the 7 BJP MPs from Assam?

In word: hopeless. The people of Assam had given such a decisive mandate to BJP with a lot of hope. Now a year down the line, they have seen all their hopes belied. Worse, BJP did a U-turn on all major pre-poll promises. But our MPs kept quiet. Now even when a devastating flood has denuded Assam, they have been able to get no relief from the Centre.

Only 6 months are left. With these economic perspective in mind, will it be easy for BJP to wrest power from Congress

Not at all. BJP would definitely increase their number of seats, but they are a long shot from power. In our view neither the Congress or the BJP would get a decisive mandate.

 

  • 11823 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

NEHU Hosts IIC Regional Meet 2025; Over 500 Attend Innovation Summit

The North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) on Friday hosted the IIC Regional Meet 2025, drawing more than 500 participants from higher educational institutions across the Northeast. The day-long programme, organised under the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), was held at the Multi-Convention Hall on the NEHU campus. The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by an introductory address by Prof. Dinesh Bhatia, SPOC of the Regional Meet. Prof. G. Bez, Chairperson of the Meet, delivered the welcome speech, while Prof. I. Hussain, Dean of the School of Technology, NEHU, offered brief remarks....

Tirtha Prasad Saikia Elected to Executive Body of IUCN India National Committee

Guwahati: Tirtha Prasad Saikia, Director of the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) — a local organization and an Indigenous Peoples’ Organization member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) based in Assam — has been elected to the Executive Body of the India National Committee (INC) of IUCN, representing the North-East India region. NEADS works at the intersection of humanitarian response, resilience building, climate action and environmental sustainability, adopting a nexus approach to address the human dimensions of environmental crises arising from both natural and human-induced disasters. The organization emphasizes community well-being...

PLF Awards Conferred at Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2025

Guwahati: The Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival (PLF) 2025 concluded this evening at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, wrapping up three days of rich literary discussions, cultural insights, and powerful storytelling. Organized by the Sankardeva Education and Research Foundation, the festival began on 14 November with acclaimed author Shefali Baidya delivering the keynote address. On the final day, the organizers announced the recipients of this year’s prestigious PLF awards. Eminent researcher and author Moneswar Deori was named the recipient of the PLF 2025 Award, while promising young writer Srotashwini Tamuli, a researcher at Birangana Sati Sadhani State University, was declared the...

NEADS Assam Brings Voices of Flood-Affected Communities to Global Climate Summit at COP-30

As the world gathers in Belém, Brazil, for the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-30), the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) from Assam has stepped onto the global stage to ensure the voices of the region’s flood-affected and climate-vulnerable communities are heard. Representing NEADS as an Observer of the Start Network, Tirtha Prasad Saikia, the organisation’s Director, said the participation marks a crucial moment for the North-East, one of India’s most climate-sensitive regions. “We are here because climate change is not a distant issue for us — it’s our everyday reality,” said Saikia. “Assam’s communities have been battling floods, erosion,...

Zubeen Garg: The Man Who Became a Movemen

“Zubeen Garg was not just a singer — he was a phenomenon. A god in human form for millions,” said Manoj Kumar Das, management professional and commentator from Assam, in a heartfelt conversation reflecting on the life and legacy of the late music legend. Das, who had known Zubeen for more than two decades, recalled his early memories vividly. “He was just a simple, soft-spoken boy when I first met him — full of restless energy, always humming tunes. He could pick up any instrument, any rhythm, and turn it into something magical. But what stood out most was his humility. Despite his fame, Zubeen never carried an ego. He could be sitting on the ground with villagers one day and on stage...

Kati Bihu Celebrated with Devotion and Tradition in Nazira

Along with the rest of Assam, the people of Nazira observed Kati Bihu today with devotion and traditional fervor. The festival, which marks a crucial phase in the agricultural calendar, was celebrated with prayers for a prosperous harvest and protection from natural calamities. As the sun set, households across Nazira lit earthen lamps (chakis) before Tulsi plants and in the paddy fields, symbolizing hope and reverence for nature’s bounty. The flickering lights illuminated the night, reflecting the community’s collective faith in a good harvest season. Also known as Kongali Bihu, Kati Bihu is a more solemn and reflective celebration compared to other Bihus, emphasizing austerity,...

North-East Students Shine at WWF Wild Wisdom Global Challenge 2025

Students from the North-East (excluding Assam) showcased their passion and knowledge for wildlife conservation at the Wild Wisdom Global Challenge (WWGC) 2025, WWF-India’s flagship wildlife quiz that has been inspiring young minds since 2008. This year’s 18th edition, themed “Incredible Insects”, explored the fascinating world of insects – from butterflies and moths to bees, grasshoppers, mantises, and dragonflies. The challenge, designed for students in grades 6 to 9, combined interactive learning through webinars, informative resources, and a new BioBlitz initiative, encouraging children to connect with nature and understand their role in conserving biodiversity. Over 400,000...

Assam Students Excel in Statewide Wildlife Conservation Competition

October 14, 2025 - Students from Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti School emerged victorious in the Assam State finale of the Wild Wisdom Global Challenge, defeating competitors from 109 other schools in what organizers called one of the most competitive rounds in the program's 18-year history. The competition, held at Miles Bronson Residential School in Guwahati, saw participation from 220 students representing schools from across the state. Ashwin Anand of Class 9 and Anubhadipta Boruah of Class 8 from the winning school will advance to represent Assam in the zonal round of India's largest wildlife quiz competition. STATEWIDE PARTICIPATION REACHES RECORD LEVELS This year's competition...

CDC of Nazira conducts inspection of Fair Price Shops

As part of the observance of Anna Sewa Din, Smt. Pratibha Meshram,  Co-district Commissioner, Nazira, and Sri Kalyan Jyoti Hazarika, Assistant Director (i/c), Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, conducted an extensive inspection of various Fair Price Shops (FPS) under Nazira Co-district on Day 4 of the programme. The inspection was carried out in the presence of departmental officials with the objective of ensuring the proper and transparent distribution of food grains under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). During the visit, the officials thoroughly verified the stock registers, distribution records, and other related documents maintained by the FPS...

Rongmei Community Celebrates 7th Cultural and Freshers’ Meet in Guwahati

The Rongmei community of Guwahati came together to celebrate its 7th Charuangc Khatni Zawthanh Kariumei 2025 (Cultural and Freshers’ Meet) under the theme “Reaffirming Identity, Shaping Futures” at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre Auditorium on Thursday. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from Rongmei residents and freshers from across the city. The celebration was graced by Chief Guest  Chaitali Panmei, IRS (Retd.), former Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, North Eastern Region, and Guest of Honour Rev. T.P. Mordecai, Associate Secretary, EFI North East. Both dignitaries inspired the gathering with their reflections on the importance of cultural identity and...