Grand welcome for Dilip Paul in Silchar, "I am back to where I belong" says the MLA

After resigning from the post of Assam Legislative Assembly deputy speaker, Silchar MLA Dilip Paul has returned to the city for the first time. He traveled in a train from Guwahati and reached Silchar station at around 2:30 PM where he was received with a grand welcome. 600 motorcycles, 120 tuktuks rallied from railway station to BJP’s party office in Itkhola.

“This is like a ghar wapsi” said Dilip Paul, talking exclusively to BarakBulletin.com. The MLA further added, “Because I was so far from Silchar, I could not contribute in the development of my constituency. Now I am back to where I belong, it feels great to be within my people.”

Dilip Paul resigned as deputy speaker stating that he feels suffocated tangled by protocols. Assamese media though read between lines and went on to mention that the resignation was due to an alleged fallout with the chief minister on Citizenship amendment bill, 2016. Paul quashed all such speculations and said, “This is the problem with you all, you create a story out of nothing (Golper goru gaache uthe jaay).” He added, “Sarbananda Sonowal is a good person, developmental work is going on under his able leadership and we must all cooperate with him.”

The MLA wooed his party cadres, “They are our party’s asset.” He reiterated the circumstances which lead to his resignation, “Since last one and half years I have approached the CM several times because I felt that such post is not suitable for me. I could not adjust with the luxury life.  This compelled me to resign. I am thankful to the CM, karyakartas, MLA’s, staffs of Secretariat.”

His slogan in 2014 by election was Kacher Manush, Kajer Manush. In 2016 it was modified to Kache Chilam, Kache Achi, Kache Thakbo. “So the distance between me and my people increased, and that was the major problem. As a deputy speaker, there are certain protocols such as limitations to speak freely, limitations to roam about, and more, so I resigned to move around freely,” Paul added.

The speculation in Assam’s political circuit is that Dilip Paul understood that he was sidelined by the state high command and being the deputy speaker he was unable to participate in active politics. There is a section in BJP which believes Paul is a contender for 2019 MP election, he though denied it completely.