I want to contest against Himanta, says Raijor Dal leader Kamal Kr Medhi

GUWAHATI: Raijor Dal vice president Kamal Kumar Medhi today said he was interested to contest against state PWD and finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from Jalukbari constituency in the ensuing Assembly elections.

Talking to media persons, the former peasant leader said: “One man has been polluting the entire political scenario of Assam. He has also been deceiving the people of Assam all along. If my party gives me ticket, I would like to contest against that man from Jalukbari constituency.”

Exhuding confidence in his supporters, he also claimed: “The people of Jalukbari are also looking for an alternative to get rid of that man. I am sure they will support me with all their might and love.”

Meanwhile, with the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) giving a cold shoulder to Raijor Dal’s alliance proposal ahead of the polls, Raijor Dal has approached the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) whom the BJP ditched in the Bodoland Territorial Council polls last month.

Medhi said his party has sent formal proposal to the AJP, but was yet to get back from the All Assam Students’ Union-backed party. “We have sent our proposal long ago. No formal discussion has been held so far. Neither has anything been confirmed regarding it,” he said.

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“We are also in contact with the BPF to forge an alliance of all regional forces to oust the anti-Assamese BJP from the seat of power in Dispur,” he added.

BPF general secretary Prabin Boro confirmed the development saying, “The BJP had deceived us in the BTC elections. So, we are holding informal discussion with regional parties such as Raijor Dal and AJP to form an alliance. If needed we also open to forging alliance with national parties such as the Congress and AIUDF.”

The switch of BJP’s loyalty from BPF to United People’s Party – Liberal left the BPF ineligible to form the BTC executive council despite emerging the single largest party in the elections last month.

AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi had already consented to the BPF alliance proposal in response to an appeal from BPF leader Pramila Rani Brahma.

Apart from the 12 constituency the BPF has been representing in the assembly, Boro said the party would also field candidates in all other 26 Bodo-dominated constituencies outside the Bodoland Territorial Region. The BPF continues to an ally of the BJP at the state assembly.