Development of Barak Valley chapter in Congress’ manifesto “laughable,” Parimal Suklabaidya

In Congress’ manifesto which has been unveiled earlier today, there is a dedicated chapter for Barak Valley. “Development of Barak Valley our pledge.” In this chapter several points are listed which are specifically related to the region.

Congress party’s general secretary incharge Rahul Gandhi along with Pradesh Congress incharge Ripun Bora, Assam Incharge Jitendra Singh and other senior leaders held a press conference in Guwahati and unveiled the manifesto.

Rahul Gandhi said, “This is a manifesto that has the voice of Assam. It is a manifesto of the state and this has been made after discussion with people of all strata.” Gandhi added, “This manifesto not only provides five guarantees but also guarantees to save the essence of Assam which has been attacked constantly by the BJP and the RSS.”

On the other hand, minister in Sarbananda Sonowal’s cabinet, Parimal Suklabaidya said that he finds this manifesto “laughable”. Parimal Suklabaidya added, “Congress has ruled the state for decades, they had the government in Centre and yet we have not seen them fulfilling anything that is mentioned in the manifesto.”

“It is clear that Congress will not form the government in Assam and therefore we do not take this manifesto seriously,” added Suklabadiya.

The points listed in the Barak Valley chapter are:

Silchar Railway Station to be renamed ‘Bhasha Swahid Station, Silchar’.

A Cultural Centre will be constructed in the memory of Nobel Prize Awardee Rabindranath Tagore.

A bench of The Guwahati High Court will be constituted in Barak Valley along with a Justice.

Super speciality facilities like departments of neurology, neuro surgery and cardiac surgery and a trauma centre will be established and operationalized in Silchar Medical College and Hospital on an emergency basis.

A mini Secretariat will be constructed for the Barak Valley area as stated in the 2016 manifesto and will be completed in five years.

Strict efforts will be made to complete the East-West Corridor that builds better connectivity between the Barak and Brahmaputra Valleys.

Priority will be given to the unemployed youth of the Barak Region in Group Three and Group Four government jobs.

Alternate State Highway from Haflong Via Lanka to Guwahati will be developed.

Pressure will be exerted on the Centre to create a special railway department in Barak Valley.