Double Standards Of BJP In Assam
By Nupur Das
10 December, 2014
Countercurrents.org
After more than a decade long rule by Tarun Gogoi led congress government, in 2016 the congress party will be completing its third term and the state will go to polls to decide its mandate for the next 5 years. Serious allegations of corruption, mishandling of protests, to an extent when a resident of Guwahati demanding land rights self immolated and succumbed to death. Apart from these, dismal performance of congress, fight within party, lust for power and the arrogance of the “leaders” ,declining faith of people on the congress ‘leaders’ and along with it the gradual decline of regional power AGP (Asom Gana Parishad) due to their unfulfilled delivery of promises, inefficiency, lack of leadership which could not even manage to score any victory in the last elections with 0 seats in lok sabha elections led to the swift entry of BJP into the political scene of the state. And along with it a gradual rise of other right wing forces like RSS and Bajrang Dal. Until recently, the influence of Right wing forces were limited to few pockets in Assam and mostly dominated by secular organisations. The recent Assam bandh called by bajrang dal on 31st October supported by BJP and its partial success; the increase of its members and its other activities has come as an unpleasant surprise to many.
To gain popularity amongst the people and where their (BJP) double standards were amply displayed was last year following former PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh in 2011 decided to ink the land swap agreement with Bangladesh. This was met out with severe criticisms from the regional party AGP and other pressure groups like AASU (All Assam Students Union) of the state in the following years. The BJP was no exception, fought against this move of the UPA II tooth and nail. When the constitutional amendment bill to facilitate the land swap deal was introduced in the parliament to ratify the agreement on India’s part BJP led by the state unit of Assam created cacophony protests on the streets and went on to declare state bandh to mark its protest in Assam. BJP in Assam were indulging in activities like burning of tyres on the road, creating road blockades, condemning the move of the former government. The representatives from the party AGP opposed and staged a walk out as a mark of protest for the introduction of the bill and governments efforts to ratify it.
Now, with the BJP coming to power with full majority PM in his address to the party workers at his Guwahati rally in November, openly expressed the stance of their party on the land swap deal without regretting this double standard citing reasons that the deal would benefit and ensure security for the neighbouring state of Assam as well and help get rid off the problem of illegal immigration from Bangladesh. If the benefits of the deal was in fovour of the country and its people then why so much hullabaloo created last year when they were in opposition. Is it the BJPs lack proper vision or was merely a protest for the sake of opposing the opposition then?
Secondly, the problem of big dams in north east has also seen a u-turn been taken by BJP. The construction of big dams in north eastern region which has been met with vehement opposition and criticisms from the people of the region including organisations like AASU ( All Assam Students Union) and KMSS (Krikhak Mukti sangram samiti). The construction of the dams were stopped from time to time by the local people. At times the logistics and construction materials transportation were even blocked and sent back to stop the working of the Mega Dams. The clashes between security forces and public also resulted in the unfortunate loss of lives which was less reported by the ‘mainstream media’. The then PM candidate of BJP now our Prime minister announced in his election rally at Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh that if the people of the region did not want big dams then they would not go for it rather consider the construction of small dams and would work towards tapping of other renewable sources of energy as their party did not want to hurt the sentiments of the people and were very much concerned about the people of the region who were protesting against the dams . Just few months later after forming the Government at centre with full majority, the Forest Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Environment and Forests issued clearance of environmental hurdles and created a plain turf for the construction of the mega dams. This sudden decision of the BJP led NDA government was a shock to the people of the region especially those who are concerned about the safety of its people. This step of the government creates two impression in the minds of people, either the government did not bother to consider the safety concerns of the people of the region or that was just a political gimmick by BJP before elections just to fetch votes and make a mark in the elections in North east especially Assam.
Lastly, at the times when BJPs government at centre is talking about doing away with red tape, draw more investments and taking policies on the economic front to create an investment favoured environment more benefits for the poor and the ‘mainstream media’ going haywire over it appreciating , in Assam BJP supported the bandh called by Bajrang Dal in protest against the alleged links of AIUDF leader with Islamic militant outfits. For them to make a good presence in the state and come in the media limelight was more important than the losses incurred and troubles faced by people during the bandh. This ‘band’ culture has probably effected the poor and daily wage earners more than any other sections. This is sheer double standard on the part of the BJP of its politics towards Assam just before a year before the state assembly elections by hoodwinking the people.
I for once, like many others wanting a change to see in the rulers of Dispur, strived to support BJP and see them forming government in Assam too. The presence of BJP who has been working for its political gains only, will also result in giving a leeway to right wing forces like Bajrang dal and RSS which will lead to polarisation of the society of Assam, which has a history of tolerance and secularism. Any sane mind would not want this to happen for the interest of the people and society. Hence, a clear no to BJP in Assam when it goes to polls in 2016.
Nupur Das is a student of Political science, interested in socio-political issues.
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