Agencies
GUWAHATI, NOVEMBER 8
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who will seek a fresh mandate next year at the end of third consecutive term of Congress, said on Sunday that the people of Bihar gave a resounding victory to secularity at a time when intolerance and hatred are on the rise in the country under NDA rule.
Gogoi said that the victory has proved that the great ancient Indian civilisation with its inherent pluralism, unity in diversity and assimilation could not be assailed by divisive, communal and Hindutva fundamentalist forces spearheaded by RSS.
“The Bihar elections, which is a decisive victory of secular, progressive forces has come at a when various sinister forces are at work to tear asunder the social fabric. The verdict will bolster the efforts of the secular, progressive forces in taking up the cudgel against communal and fissiparous forces and thus further strengthen the edifice of Indian civilization,” he added.
Gogoi said the victory of the grand alliance at the hustings has exposed the hollowness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s development poll plank. “The people of Bihar had seen what acche din the Modi-led Government had promised to usher in failed to see the light of the day. The BJP and its allies’ efforts to lure people with largesse failed as the people of Bihar could see through their game plan and gave a resounding mandate against them,” he said adding that during the tenure of the present dispensation no State could make any progress.
Extending heartiest congratulations to Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi for the grand victory that upset BJP’s applecart, Gogoi said, “I am very delighted to witness the grand victory of the grand alliance at the hustings. They spearheaded the campaign against the most powerful alliance headed by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Sushil Modi and others as well as Hindutva elements like that of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. I hope the people of Bihar will rally around Nitish Kumar and strengthen his hands to embolden the secular, progressive forces in the days ahead,” he added.
AIUDF chief Ajmal says Bihar result will impact Assam election too
All India United Democratic Front chief Badruddin Ajmal said Bihar election result is a mandate against communalism and divisive politics. Ajmal, who is an MP from Dhubri, said the election result is a vindication that people are for keeping the secular fabric of the country intact.
“We congratulate the grand alliance headed by Nitish Kumar for the victory. The election result has proved people’s rejection of divisive politics and communalism,” Ajmal said on Sunday.
Ajmal claimed that the Bihar election has also exposed BJP’s politics.
“People of India do not believe in communal politics of BJP. The Bihar’s election result is a victory of secularism,” Ajmal said.
He added that BJP should take Bihar election as a lesson.
“The impact of Bihar election result will definitely be felt in Assam too. In Assam BJP has made u-turn on some of the vital issues especially on large hydel power projects and land swap deal with Bangladesh. People of Assam will also stand firm against any communal politics,” Ajmal said.
The Bihar election result has shown that the people of the state had defeated forces that were promoting intolerance in the country, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said on Sunday. Congratulating Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister also said that the people of Bihar had reposed their faith on the secular alliance of JD(U), RJD and INC under the banner of Mahagatbandhan.
“The people of Bihar have shown the country that divisive and communal forces coupled with intolerance will not be accepted in a secular country like India,” he said.
Tuki also sent separate letters to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar of JD(U), AICC President Sonia Gandhi, AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Lalu Prasad of RJD, and praised their leadership in leading the grand alliance to a landslide victory in one of the most challenging elections after 2014.
