Assam CM arrives in Kokrajhar to warm welcome for historic assembly session

Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived in Kokrajhar on Monday morning to attend a historic sitting of the state assembly, held outside Guwahati for the first time.

 

The first day of the Budget session of the Assam Legislative Assembly was held at the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) assembly in Kokrajhar, marking a significant move to send a message of peace to the region.

 

Buses carrying ministers and MLAs from across Assam travelled to Kokrajhar for the special session. Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika highlighted the significance of the event, saying, "For the first time, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, we are going to hold the assembly session in Kokrajhar. 15 years ago, there was a situation that the people of Kokrajhar wanted a separate state, but now they don't want it and they are welcoming us... This is a great initiative. It will be continued."

 

Deputy Speaker Numal Momin emphasised the positive impact the session would have on the Bodoland Territorial Region, noting, "The message of all MLAs is that after the BJP government came, peace prevails in BTR, which was a disturbed area earlier. We are having this budget session and the Governor's speech in Kokrajhar today. It will carry a very good message to the people of Assam and PM Modi's dream of 'Sabka sath sabka vikas, sabka vishwas sabka prayaas'."

 

BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia referred to the session as a historic moment, stressing its importance for the development of Assam. "The Assam Assembly is going to be held in Kokrajhar... We'll discuss the economic, socio-economic and all-round development of the six scheduled areas. It is very significant... It will give a great message to the entire people of Assam," he said.

 

AIUDF MLA Karim Uddin Barbhuiya also praised the initiative, stating, "It is a good initiative. This is happening for the first time in India, where we are going out of the station and going to Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) area. Everyone will praise this step as BTC was an underdeveloped area. Earlier there was insecurity in this area. Today it is in mainstream. It will send a good message that the government is thinking about the development of the Bodo people."

 

Congress MLA Abdur Rashid Mandal added, "It is a historical budget session that will start outside the capital. I think that will give a message to the people of the 'sixth schedule' area. Today's one main discussion will be on the socio-economic and all-round development of the 'sixth schedule' area."

 

AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam called the session a reflection of peaceful restoration in the region, stating, "It is happening for the first time in the Assam Assembly, hosting the Assembly session outside the capital. It is one of the proofs shown by the government that earlier, the BTC area was a completely unraised area since 1985, but presently, peaceful restoration is going on there. Their demand is the separate state, but now it will suit them that they are part of the mainstream."