Three Key BJP Meetings Held at State Party Headquarters; Preparations for Upcoming Autonomous Council Elections Reviewed
Three important meetings of the BJP’s core committees were held at the state party headquarters, with discussions focusing on organisational matters and preparations for upcoming elections.
The first meeting was attended by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and the state BJP president, along with members of the party’s core committee. Separate meetings of the BJP’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) Morcha and Yuva Morcha were also held.
The meetings reviewed the party’s performance in previous elections and discussed strategies for the upcoming Autonomous Council elections. Newly appointed party in-charge, co-in-charge and the North-East co-in-charge were also present at the core committee meeting.
Speaking to the media after the meetings, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Autonomous Council elections would not be contested on party symbols. He added that the state BJP leadership would maintain a neutral position in these elections.
However, the Chief Minister clarified that municipal corporation elections would be held on party symbols.
The outcome of the Nagaon election was also discussed during the meeting. Emphasising the party’s ideological position, Sarma said the BJP would not compromise on its principles.
He further claimed that Muslims had voted for the BJP in the past and would continue to do so in the future. He also stressed the need to strengthen the party’s organisational network in Muslim-dominated areas.
Taking a dig at the Congress over its mock Parliament programme, Sarma said that the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers would belong to the BJP in the actual Parliament and state assemblies, while Congress leaders would occupy those positions in the mock Parliament.
He also alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi aspired to become Prime Minister, which was why the mock Parliament was being organised at party president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence.
Speaking about Assam’s development ambitions, the Chief Minister said the state was now aiming to reach new heights and announced that a bullet train would come to Assam.
On the recent hike in electricity tariffs, Sarma said the increase was temporary and attributed it to the impact of rising petrol and diesel prices.
The Chief Minister also took a swipe at the Congress over its protest programmes. Responding to the party’s assertion that the ruling party could not take to the streets, he said he did not know who had made such a claim.
He pointed out that Mahatma Gandhi had continued to lead protests even when the Congress was in power, questioning the criticism directed at the ruling party for taking part in street protests.
