Assam: Congress hits back at AGP over 'communal' remark

GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Thursday came down heavily on Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president and state agriculture minister Atul Bora for trying to brand Congress as a communal force.

Apparently referring to Bora’s remarks in an election rally at Algapur in Hailakandi district of barak Valley on Wednesday, Congress state unit spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma said the Congress did not need a character certificate from the AGP which has itself shown its colours as regards the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.

Accusing Bora of being greedily loyal to the BJP, a “party known for its communal agenda”, Sharma said the people of Assam have witnessed how the AGP has clung on with the BJP “for greed of power” even after threatening to step sever alliance with the BJP if the CAB was passed. “The AGP had not only voted in favour of the CAB, but are also out to implement the CAA. It shows the character of the party,” Sharma said.

She asked Bora whether he supports the BJP's 'battle of civilization' politics of state education minister Himanta Biswa Sharma, and the politics of 65 per cent versus 35 per cent. She reminded Bora of the “shameful history of Godhra and the politics of divide that the BJP supports”.

Bora had accused the Congress of reducing the religious minorities to mere “vote bank of second class citizens”. He also criticised the Congress-All India United Democratic Front alliance saying the latter was also trying to do the same to the minorities in collusion with the Congress.

Accusing the BJP of bullying all regional parties which are in alliance with it, Sharma stated that Congress believed in inclusive society where all people irrespective of religion, caste and creed could live with dignity.

Citing polarization politics on religious lines, Bora had on Wednesday tried to woo minorities to join hands with the AGP claiming it to be the only secular party in the state.