AGP will do better in coming elections, says Atul Bora

GUWAHATI: Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Atul Bora today said the party was in a better position ahead of the state assembly elections compared to what it was in the past.

Interacting with the media on the sidelines of a press conference to announce a regional livestock and poultry show proposed to be held here from February 8 to 10, Bora said: “The party has been enjoying massive support ever since I took over reins. We are hopeful of a good show in the coming elections.”

Asked about the alliance between the newly floated Assam Jaitya Parishad and Raijor Dal, the state agriculture minister said, “It is not going to affect the AGP prospects any way.”

ALSO READ: AJP-Raijor Dal alliance final, says Lurinjyoti Gogoi after meeting Akhil Gogoi at GMCH

He has been critical of the two parties branding them as “opportunists” etc.

The claim was in stark contrast with what the party has been experiencing ever since the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 was enacted. The party has been under fire over the past year for voting in favour of passage of the bill. The AGP is an ally of the BJP in Dispur.

Bora, AGP working president Keshav Mahanta and senior leader Phani Bhusan Choudhury had stepped down from the ministerial posts in view of the massive agitation in the state against the law. They, however, rejoined the government once the protests subsided.

In a poll-bound promise, Bora also said the government is going to recruit Grade III and IV employees in state veterinary and animal husbandry department shortly. "Advertisements will be published soon," he said.

Pointed out that there was hardly any time left for a recruitment process before the election code of conduct comes into force, he said the government can keep candidates shortlisted to be appointed after the elections.

However, a section of veterinarians said recruitment of Grade III and IV employees cannot help because there are not enough veterinary doctors in the department. "When the doctor-animal ratio should be 1:3000, it's currently 1:30,000 in Assam," one of the veterinarians said.