BJP promises creation of Autonomous State for Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao

DIPHU — The BJP under 6-Diphu Parliamentary Constituency, comprising three hill districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, released its election manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha election at the party’s Election Management Committee office in Rongnihang on April 14.

Following the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) and All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC), the Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao BJP units also put the implementation of Article 244(A) of the Indian constitution — granting of an autonomous state — as top priority in its manifesto.

This is what the BJP manifesto reads: “The long standing demand for implementation of Article 244(A) of the Indian constitution and its subsequent creation of an Autonomous State, that is state within the state, by upgrading the existing Autonomous Councils of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, is the promise of the BJP and the district committee is committed for its solution as early as possible. Because, the issue was the main focus of our election manifestos of the last Parliamentary election, 2014 and 2019 and Assembly elections, 2016 and 2021 and Autonomous Council election, 2017 and 2022.”

It also stated that candidates from Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao should be exempted from MIL while writing examinations conducted by the UPSC.

“The candidates from the tribal areas of Northeastern states have been exempted from the compulsory paper of MIL in examination conducted by UPSC. But due to geo-political issues the candidates from Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao are not enjoying this essential concession granted to other tribal candidates of NE states,” it stated.

The manifesto also touched upon direct funding and access to Article 280, the need for creation of new Lok Sabha seat, full and final implementation of MoU and MoS, enhancement of allocation of fund to the Autonomous Council at par with the special category states of Northeast India, restoration of Autonomous Council’s rights and over mines and minerals, new airport and 25% share of power from Amtereng Hydro-electric power project to KAAC and border issue.

It also mentioned the establishment of new educational institutions like NIT, full-fledged Central University in the name of Late Semson Sing Engti by upgrading the existing Diphu Campus of Assam University, Agriculture University and Central Polytechnic Institutes in the two districts.

It went on to stress on connecting economic life line roads like from Maha sarak 4 lane point at Dokmoka – Bheloghat- Kalivety-Kaipani-Rongagora-Rongmongve ITDP Block-NH 37 point at Kuthori; NH-36 at Parakhowa point- Loksogaon-Donghap-Thedong-Therebasa-Kangting Terang gaon-Kahon Rongphar gaon-Salona-NH37 Samaguri point; NH 37 Nelie point-Ouguri-Umsowai-Umpanai-Ummat-Mosoladei-Umrookhuti-Hawang-Khanduli NEC road; NH36 Dokmoka point-Baghpani-Dhentaghat-Samelangso-Langlokso-Borpung-Tarapung-Chowkihola-Koilamati-NH39 at Silonijan bazaar point; Rongmongve ITDP Block-Hdipi-Hidiso –Langlokso; NH (Four-lane) at Lonka point-Kheroni-Zirikindeng-Mokoilum-Umtang-Khaskhasla-Tahpat-Rongpangbong-Khanduli NEC Road.

Meanwhile, Peter Tisso, who worked for BJP in various capacities, including the party’s IT, East Karbi Anglong District Committee and member of the ST Morcha, has resigned from the saffron party citing lack of support from its leadership and exhaustion of personal resources.

He claimed that the fund that come to the KAAC is divided among a few and leaving the rest high and dry.