Ready to donate money to AJP for polls, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

GUWAHATI: In the lead up to the ensuing polls in Assam, Finance, Health, and Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said that he is "ready" to donate funds to the cash-strapped regional party 'Assam Jatiya Parishad.'

 

"Have they given the account number? I will also give. They should stop going door-to-door asking for funds. If they ask nicely, we will all give them money," Sarma said on the sidelines of a programme here today.

 

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU)-backed party has fixed a minimum application fee of Rs 20,000 per head for those who would contest the elections of AJP tickets. The Assam assembly elections are scheduled tentatively in April.

 

The party also released its bank account number (59202020202111; IFSC Code – HDFC0000399) on the public domain to contribute funds for use in the electioneering. Gogoi said all the accounts of the funds raised and utilised would be uploaded every week on the party’s website to maintain transparency.

 

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Launching a scathing attack on another rival party, the Congress, the Minister said, "Since the Congress has already surrendered in front of (Badruddin) Ajmal, they will forever be boycotted by the people of Assam."

 

Asked if former Congress MP Sushmita Dev is going to join the saffron party ahead of polls, Biswa Sarma said, "I have not held discussions with Sushmita Dev so far. However, she is welcome to join. We are unlikely to give tickets (to contest elections) to new joinees, though."

 

The Minister also said that the BJP ally AGP is likely to be given a number of seats based on 'winnability' in the polls.

 

"However, if they say that they want to contest in 40-odd Seats because of the arrangement in the last elections, I will tell them to reconsider. However, we are always open to friendly contests," Sarma said.