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22 BJP│ supporters │ celebrateJuly 2016 as their party occupies for the first time Saffron surge in The BJP-led alliance has come to power in Assam, riding on a strong wave. However, their real challenge starts now as they have to fulfil the promises they made Nabarun Guha

t was nearing the end of May, In the 2011 Assembly polls , they in the State was 10.58 lakh. Absence but Diwali, it appeared, had had managed a meager 5 seats and of industry and skill development Iarrived early in Hengerabari. a vote share of 12%. At that time, remains crucial factors hampering As the counting of votes began in nobody would have dreamt that the employment scenario of Assam early on the morning of 19th the BJP and its allies would get 87 the State. Sonowal has already May, it soon became evident that seats in 2016, with the BJP alone stressed on skill development to the lotus was going to bloom in accounting for 60 , translating to a solve the employment crisis. the State. As the day progressed twelve-fold increase in a mere five Health and education are the and more results started coming years! primary indicators of progress in, affirming news of the BJP’s But as the 53-year-old in any society but despite being victory, party supporters erupted takes charge in power for 15 years, the Tarun in celebration outside the Atal as the 14th of Assam, Gogoi government couldn’tbring Bihari Vajpayee Bhawan. As the riding on the wave of poriborton, he about significant reforms in drumbeats and chants of ‘Axomor knows he has his task cut out. The either sector.. On paper, several Ananda Sarbananda’, ‘Bharat former strongman from innovative schemes like the Boat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘ University who earned the title Clinic, Emergency Helpline, ki Jai’ filled the air, I noticed a of Jatiya Nayak for successfully Gender Budgeting etc were tired-looking old man dancing removing the Illegal Migrants undertaken but on the ground, in wild abandon. Assuming he (Determination by Tribunal) Act they did not appear to take off. must be a party worker, I asked (IMDT) has already outlined Many hospitals or health clinics him what he thought about this his priorities by declaring that especially in the rural areas still emphatic victory. I learnt to my resolving the illegal immigrants lack trained doctors, para-medical utter surprise, that he was just an issue will be his main mission. staff, even basic medicines and ordinary citizen who had come other facilities. Similarly, in the there to celebrate the change Challenges aplenty education sector, despite coming which has embraced Assam. The In its election manifesto, up with excellent initiatives such call for change or poriborton, which the BJP has promised to create as merit-based appointment of had been the rallying cry of the BJP employment for 25 lakh people. As TET teachers, higher education and its allies of December last year, there were remains of indifferent quality and (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front 18.51 lakh people registered with out of the reach of most people. (BPF), had obviously resonated various employment exchanges in AASU General Secretary Lurin with the people and was the the State. The number of educated Jyoti Gogoi says, ‘It is true that catalyst behind the epic victory.. unemployed was as high as 14.81 the government took Dramatic Rise lakh. some really positive steps in the Till 2014, BJP had been seen as When the Congress health and education departments, a marginal political player in the government headed by Tarun but, by and large, their performance State with negligible presence in Gogoi came to power in 2001, the was not satisfactory. I think the most parts except Upper Assam. number of registered unemployed new government needs to do a

July 2016 │ │ 23 CHIEF MINISTER (Home, Political, Personal, GAD, SAD, Administrative Reform & Training, Election, I & PR, Border Area Development, Revenue and DM, Social Welfare, Judicial Legislative Law, Welfare and Minorities Development, Printing and Stationery, Power, Implementation of ) DID YOU KNOW? The young and charismatic CM is a bachelor who spends long hours at work. He grew up in the house of his older sister and brother-in-law and remains very close to them. Sonowal is said to love ethnic Assamese cuisine and prefers boiled rather than spicy food. A good cricket player, he led the MP Forum Sarbananda Sonowal cricket team.

DID YOU KNOW? AGP President comes from an agricultural family and he spends a lot of his spare time in agriculture- relatedl activities. He is married to Bulbuli Bora, an Assistant Professor of Political Science in HBV College, and they have a daughter. Atul Bora Cabinet Minister (Agriculture. Horticulture and Food Processing, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, UDD, Town Cabinet Minister (Finance, Planning & Development, & Country Planning) Health & Family Welfare, Education (Higher, Secondary & Elementary), Tourism, Handloom and Textile (Only Khadi and Village Industry), GDD, Co-Operation, Pension and Public Grievances) DID YOU KNOW? A former lecturer DID YOU KNOW? Regarded as one of the best public in Political Science at Kaliabor speakers among the current crop of politicians in Assam, College, Mahanta is married to Sarma was a star debater in his student days and has won Chayanika Mahanta and has two numerous competitions including the GU Youth Festival. daughters. He has been a Married to Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, he has a son and a nominee of the American Bio- daughter. He loves to unwind by reading and travelling. He Graphical Society and his also manages a trust called Kailash Nath Sarma Memorial Keshab Mahanta hobby is collecting books. Trust apart from running an orphanage and children’s Cabinet Minister (Water Resources, Science & Technology, library. Information Technology)

DID YOU KNOW? This former AGP President is married to renowned novelist Rita Chowdhury who has penned bestsellers like Makam and Abirata Jatra. He has one son and one daughter. He was the former General Secretary of the Indian Hockey Federation and was a part of the Indian Hockey Congress delegation which went to Netherlands in 1998. Chandramohan Patowary

Cabinet Minister (Commerce and Industry, Transport, Parliamentary Affairs)

THE NEW CABINET lot to improve these two sectors. I over Rs 10,000 crore (approx) from free and fair teacher recruitment would like to see a comprehensive its predecessor. While releasing process and also set up many new education policy from the new a ‘White Paper on Assam State medical and engineering colleges government. In the health sector, Finances’ in the Assembly, Sarma in the State. the need of the hour is to make said, ‘The growth rate of 1.39 Another old hand in the the hospitals in rural areas more percent in 2014-15 is the lowest Sonowal cabinet is Chandra equipped so that people don’t in the history of the State. The Mohan Patowari , a former AGP have to run to or other situation however has improved president who joined the BJP in big cities. Ultimately, if these two last year with 3.39 percent. 2014, and who had earlier served sectors do not improve, then all this However, we have taken it as a as health minister (1985-87) and talk of poriborton is meaningless.’ challenge. The thatched house agriculture minister (1996-2001) in Assam has also been grappling which we have inherited will soon the previous AGP governments. for years with natural problems be improved substantially.’ Under Patowari’s watch,there like flood and erosion and it will was for the first time, surplus be interesting to see what steps the Sonowal’s Cabinet production of rice in Assam in new government takes to address A day after taking oath in 1999-2001. this issue. According to the State front of a massive gathering in Senior Bodo People’s Front government website, almost 40% Khanapara, Sonowal announced (BPF) leader and five-time MLA of the total land area of Assam falls portfolios for his cabinet, which from (East), Pramila in a flood prone area and notable is an amalgamation of veterans Rani Brahma (65) too had served in this is the Chief Minister’s and newbies. The CM has kept the as an agriculture minister (2011-14) constituency . home and political department. in the Congress-BPF government. There are also problems of Important portfolios like finance, The other BPF member in the infrastructure, health, education planning and development, health Sonowal cabinet is Rihan Daimary and not to mention law and order and family welfare as well as the who had served as a public in many parts of the State and an education department are under health minister in the Cong-BPF increase in rhino poaching. Himanta Biswa Sarma, who government in 2006-11. Recently, State Finance was one of the most important Two AGP members who Minister Dr Himanta Biswa ministers in Tarun Gogoi’s cabinet are veteran politicians have Sarma has also stated that the as well. Earlier, during his tenure got a cabinet berth for the first new government has inherited a as health and education minister time. AGP President Atul Bora committed outstanding liability of of Assam, Sarma had started a and Keshab Mahanta will be

Being close to PM Modi and senior BJP leaders like is seen as an advantage for Sonowal

July 2016 │ │ 25 experience. . Brahma, a former minister in the Tarun Gogoi cabinet says that Sonowal’s biggest strength is his demeanour. ‘ He is very approachable and takes keen interest in the functioning of each department. I have been discussing the issues in the forest department regularly with him. It was he who suggested that a permanent PCCF office should be set up in Kaziranga,’ she said. Some of the first measures taken by the new government like abolishing check gates and making higher education free for students from families with income of less than Rs 1 lakh per annum have been applauded and welcomed. Rakesh Baishya, a young student hailing from Nalbari, is already impressed by what the Sonowal government has done since it took guard. ‘The new cabinet looks good. Most of the ministers are quite young and so they have an urgency to work. The decision to make higher education free for students coming from poor families is a great initiative. Sonowal looks like a very able Forgetting all their differences, Sonowal and Sarma seem to be ready for a leader and may Assam reach fresh new start heights of prosperity under his handling important portfolios like Fishery and Excise says, ‘ I have leadership.’ agriculture and water resources zero tolerance for corruption in However, not everyone is respectively. my department. As a minister, I happy . Social activist Kamal Four other MLAs from the BJP- will also ensure that my officials Kumar Medhi says, ‘Many Parimal Suklabaidya, Ranjit Dutta, get the best possible environment ministers in Sonowal’s cabinet Naba Doley and Pallab Lochan Das to work.’ like Patowary, Promila Rani would also be serving as ministers Forest Minister Promila Rani Brahma and Rihon Daimary have for the first time. Dutta, a former Brahma claims that she is ready held ministerial berths before. BJP state president is the most to take on the challenges posed However, none of them are experienced among them while by poachers. ‘Saving our precious really remembered for doing any Das who had defected from the bio-diversity from the clutches pathbreaking work during their Congress last year is the youngest. of poachers will be my primary tenure. Again, Himanta Biswa The ministers are already goal. I have already had meetings Sarma’s ability can’t be doubted upbeat about their new with forest officials in order to but there are corruption charges assignments and it appears that prepare an action plan against this against him. Also, when it comes to no stone would be left unturned. menace.’ economic policies, there is hardly Parimal Suklabaidya, who will The ministers also said that any difference between Congress be handling portfolios like PWD, working under Sonowal is a good and BJP. So, I have my reservations

26 │ │ July 2016 July 2016 │ │ 27 DID YOU KNOW? Doley who defected to the BJP from the AGP is married to Karabi DID YOU KNOW? Ranjit Dutta is a Pegu Doley and has one daughter. He runs well-known industrialist and has his an NGO called Raizz. Gardening is a own brick factory. Before joining hobby that he likes to pursue in his politics, he had established Behali spare time and he is also fond of College. He is also the first BJP travelling. MLA to win from Naba Doley Ranjit Dutta Brahmaputra Valley. Minister of State with Independent Charge (Panchayat Cabinet Minister (Irrigation, Handloom, Textile and and Rural Development, Sports and Youth Welfare, Sericulture (Excluding Khadi and Village Industry) Cultural Affairs (as independent charge), Social Welfare (MOS to assist CM)

DID YOU KNOW? In his childhood, he used to help his father Late Prafulla Suklabaidya run a tea stall in Irongmara Market. Later, he became the Principal of Irongmara High School and now runs a fishery business. His family comprises his wife Uma Suklabaidya, one son and one daughter. Parimal Suklabaidya Pramila Rani Brahma Cabinet Minister (PWD (Roads and Buildings, NH), Fisheries and Excise) Cabinet Minister (Environment & Forest, Soil Conservation, Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Class, Mines & Minerals)

DID YOU KNOW? The family of this veteran BPF MLA comprises two daughters and a son. She likes to watch Hindi DID YOU KNOW? Udalguri MLA Daimary serials on TV in her spare time.. One of her favourites is the is a contractor by profession. He is married period drama Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani which is aired on to Ninu Daimary and has one daughter Zee TV. In her younger days, she was very fond of reading and two sons. He also runs an NGO and detective stories. She is also into social work and is presently takes active interest the President of the All Assam Deaf Association. in sports. Rihon Daimary Cabinet Minister (Public Health Engineering, Food and Civil Supplies)

DID YOU KNOW? The youngest member of Sonowal’s cabinet hails from the tea tribe community and has been the General Secretary of the All Assam Tea Tribes Student Association. He is married to Ditimoni Khandait and has one child. He loves to unwind by playing video games Pallab Lochan Das and reading. Minister of State with Independent Charge (Labur and Employment, Tea Tribes Welfare (As Independent Charge), Revenue & DM (MOS to assist CM)

THE NEW CABINET Good performance from the Sonowal government can pave the way for BJP in other NE states about this government.’ predictions about the Assembly in , three are from the polls were more accurate than the Northeast. The BJP is now eyeing Brothers-In-Arms? Exit Polls,’ comments Goswami. which is going to the Sonowal and Sarma together However, though Sonowal polls next year and after winning orchestrated the BJP’s journey and Sarma might seem a great 10 out of 27 seats in the recent to Dispur this year. Both these combination now, working in Imphal Municipal Elections, they charismatic leaders started out tandem, things have not always must certainly fancy their chances. in regional politics in the 1980s. been so rosy between them. The party already has a foot Both of them have qualities which Sonowal had strongly opposed in which is governed enable them to connect instantly Sarma’s entry into the BJP because by its ally Nagaland People’s Front with the masses. State BJP of the latter’s alleged involvement (NPF). Kalikho Pul formed the Spokesperson Rupam Goswami in the Saradha and Louis Berger government in who has worked with both of scams. Siddartha Bhattacharya with outside support from the BJP. them closely states that both these who was the state President of BJP which is still a red bastion leaders are very dynamic. at that time was instrumental in is unlikely to turn saffron soon Goswami says that the Chief getting Sarma into the party by and the BJP doesn’t have much Minister has tremendous control lobbying on his behalf to party of a presence in and over himself. ‘You will rarely see president . . However, with Himanta him losing his cool. There have Till now, the Sonowal-Sarma being named convenor of the been instances when we have felt combination has worked very well North East Democratic Alliance that he is really angry and might for BJP.Sarma’s political career (NEDA) it is evident that the BJP burst out at any moment, but he has got a new lease of life after is serious about changing the somehow always keeps control joining the BJP; it is also true that complexion of the political map of over himself. This is the reason this big victory would not have the Northeast. why you will never find him been possible without Sarma’s The Sonowal government’s giving loose statements. He is also political acumen. But necessity work in Assam will be crucial to very spiritual and full of positivity makes strange bedfellows, and the BJP’s chances in the Northeast. and this trait rubs off on those who it is to be seen for how long the If even half of the poll promises are working with him as well.’ ambitious Sarma will be content can actually materialize, making Sarma, whom Goswami has with playing second fiddle. poriborton a reality rather than a known since his student days catchphrase, the BJP might just is ‘one of the sharpest brains in In Retrospect romp home with a victory over the Assam.’ ‘And he was like that since The BJP High Command rest of the Congress-ruled states. he was a student. He also has this knows that expanding its power They know they cannot afford to capacity of working very hard. base in the Northeast will be vital take it easy. A scent of saffron is But for me his best quality is his for its plan of Congress Mukt Bharat certainly in the air. knowledge and expertise on the to materialize. Presently, out of the politics of this region. In fact, his six states ruled by the Congress Photos: UB photos

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