ASDC candidate clarifies allegation that it is contesting Lok Sabha polls to help BJP

DIPHU — General Secretary of Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) and former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Jotson Bey has claimed that former MP Dr Jayanta Rongpi had destroyed the ASDC as a CPI (ML) worker.

Bey, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from 6-Diphu  Parliamentary Constituency in Assam, said this during the 29th anniversary of the signing of MoU with the Central government on April 1, 1995.

The ASDC, Lumbajong Constituency Committee, organised the event in collaboration with Karbi Students Association (KSA), Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong (KNCA) and ASDC Youth Front, at Bura Tisso village on Monday.

Addressing the party workers and supporters at the event, Bey said: ‘It is those deserters like Dr. Jayanta Rongpi, who wearing the shirt of CPI (ML) joined the autonomous state movement launched by ASDC and destroyed the party. Dr. Rongpi and other selfish leaders made money to enrich themselves. It is not the fault of ASDC but those deserters that have ruined the ASDC.’

“When I was the CEM, I did not allow outsiders to settle in Karbi Anglong. Our government opposed the setting up of Tiger Reverse in Kaziranga National Park,” he added.

He said that after the signing of the MoU, the power to appoint LP and high school teachers was given to the KAAC. ‘Even the Principal of Diphu Govt. College was appointed by KAAC at that time. But in the subsequent 15 years of Congress rule in KAAC, it surrendered the already received KAAC powers to the State government. These people are now in the BJP,’ he added.

Bey said that the ASDC has opposed the implementation of CAA and UCC in the sixth schedule districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong and the government has agreed to it.

He also claimed that Karbi Anglong’s land was given to Meghalaya and Nagaland during the congress rule.

On allegation that ASDC is contesting the Lok Sabha election to help BJP win, he said the ASDC would not have fielded its candidate if that’s the case.

On not being able to place a consensus opposition candidate, he clarified it was the APHLC and Congress that had not agreed to it.