Values of BJP, salaries of employees in Municipality; Kabindra Purkayastha’s discussion with Ashok Singhal

Guardian Minister of Cachar, Ashok Singhal has reached Silchar for the first time after being assigned with the responsibilities. All Guardian Ministers of the state are supposed to visit their respective districts at least once every month. During the visit, they will review the developmental projects running under several state and central schemes and submit a report to the Chief Minister of Assam. While the concept of Guardian Ministers was there in other states, Himanta Biswa Sarma rolled it out in Assam after taking charge as the chief minister of the state.

Guardian Minister, Ashok Singhal started his tour by paying a visit to the residence of a former union minister, Kabindra Purkayastha. “Today visited Former Union Minister of state and one of the senior-most leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shri Kabindra Purakayastha ji at Silchar. We had fruitful discussions on several aspects of our party & the state development as well. His suggestions will be my strength for the future,” Singhal posted on his Facebook after the meeting.

Kabindra Purkayastha was one of them who laid the foundation stone of BJP in the Northeastern region under the direct guidance of former Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee. However, the party-veteran was upset before the general elections to the Assembly had publically criticised the party’s high command in the state for “compromising the democratic values within BJP.” Albeit later to fall in line and appreciate the victory.

With that in the backdrop, Singhal’s decision to start Cachar visit by meeting the once rebelling veteran sends a message that Himanta Biswa Sarma is eying assimilation within the party. “I had also visited Ashok Singhal’s house to meet his father late Paramchand Singhal – a Sanghkarta who remains a stalwart,” reacted Kabindra Purkayastha at Askhok Singhal’s visit.

Speaking with Barak Bulletin, the former minister said, “Most of our discussion was around the party’s organisational strengths and weaknesses. He asked for my advice and my submission to the Guardian Minister was that he must ensure that the party’s values are not getting compromised. BJP stands on a strong foundation in Cachar and as the Guardian Minister, he must keep an eye to ensure that base is not getting weakened.”

The former member of parliament also spoke about the state of affairs in Silchar Municipality Board. “There is no elected board and I tried to draw his attention to it. Also, I expressed my concern that the employees of Silchar Municipality Board are not getting their salaries. For six to seven months straight they have not got their salaries and I told him that there needs to be a course correction immediately,” said Kabindra Purkayastha.

After meeting the former union minister, the Guardian Minister left for the review meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. He will remain stationed in Silchar today and leave tomorrow. MLA of Dhekiajuli, Ashok Singhal is the guardian minister of Cachar along with Kokrajhar and Udalguri in his portfolio. Apart from that, Singhal is the Guwahati Development, Urban Development, and Irrigation Minister, Government of Assam.