Our correspondent from Guwahati: In a bid to unite all regional forces to recoup power at Dispur from Congress, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has determined to constitute a working group for unification. And they are all set to get a new president to clear the decks for the much-hyped reunification.This was decided by the party in its central executive committee meeting held at Mangaldoi on Sunday.Most of the members of the committee have come down heavily on party president Brindaban Goswami for his failure to coalesce the party with AGP (Progressive) led by former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. The party top guns came down heavily on Goswami for his lack of efficiency and asked him to step down immediately. Mr Goswami and his loyalists further came in for sharp attack for the “alleged attempt to prevent the founder president and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta from entering into the party. Even Mr Goswami’s close associates including Sarbananda Sonowal, Padma Hazarika and Kumar Deepak Das alleged that there has been attempt to stonewall Mr Mahanta and his associates Some leaders even threatened to quit the party if Mr Goswami fails to quit the presidentship saying the sitting president is, in fact, damaging the prospect of the state’s biggest regional forces. They are of the view that due to expulsion of Mahanta before the assembly poll, the AGP has suffered a crisis due to the expulsion.The general view in the executive committee is that the party can be strengthened if Mahanta comes back to the party and takes the leadership. It was felt that Mahanta was chief minister of the state for two times and AGP can not be revived without Mahanta. Mahanta is now leading AGP (P) after his expulsion from the party having one seat in the state assembly.The members called for a general house meeting of the party for threadbare discussion on the issue of unification on July 22. The executive committee will also sit on July 21 to discuss the next course of action.In the midst of the din that rocked the executive meeting, Mr Goswami offered to quit when the party wants but supported the move to forge pact with non Congress parties to oust the Tarun Gogoi Government from the power.Meanwhile when contacted Mahanta refused to comment on the issue and said he is not interested in the internal matter of any political party. However he said all like minded regional parties should come under one umbrella for the best interests of the state and its people. Discussions are on with many regional parties for this unification, he said.
Assam defeated Tripura by 10 wickets in their opening group league match in Ronji trophy at Nehru Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.
The victory gave the host team a bonus point as they got seven points from the encounter. Ratra from Tripura gleaned 124 run before he was adjudged leg before wicket off pacer Arup Das and any hopes of saving the match was gone for Tripura. Ratra hit 18 boundaries during his 255-ball stay at the crease. He added 77 runs to his overnight score before becoming the ninth wicket to fall.
Encouraging news. A huge fund is in the pipeline to uplift the state’s roads and bridges. Courtesy World Bank. The Centre has signed the Loan and Project Agreements in New Delhi on Monday. The agreement was signed Prabodh Saxena, Joint Secretary with economic affairs department and Onno Ruhl, Country Director of World Bank. The Project Agreement was signed by Mohan Chandra Boro, Commissioner & Special Secretary, Public Works Road Department on behalf of the Government of Assam.
The objective of the project is to enhance the road connectivity in Assam by assisting the Public Works Road Department to improve and effectively manage its road network.
Bhupen Hazarika's song is out in English and Bengali translation. This was what the maestro’s younger brother Bolen Hazarika in Shillong on Monday.
Hazarika said that the last song of his life had been translated into English by his UK-based brother Probin Hazarika. The song is yet to be out in the market.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said that Bhupen Hazarika's music will keep living as long as the mighty Brahmaputra flows. In a brief address at a function in Latasheel playground organize to remember the cultural doyen, Gogoi said that his works would inspire the youths to come through his rich legacy. Dr Amarjyoti Chaudhury recited a poem in presence of Dr Hazarika’s estrange wife Priyam and his son Tez.
Dr Bhupen Hazarika is still living in the hearts of millions of people across the north east if the rich tributes paid to the maestro on Monday is any indication.
The Asom Ratna was remembered in the state on his first death anniversary with all-religion prayers, cultural shows and processions.
From early in the morning his evergreen songs started filling the air. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led the state to pay tribute to the legendary musician in several functions after he arrived in Guwahati from Delhi. Dr Hazarika’s family members organised a day-long event at their Nizarapar residence. The main function took place at Jalukbari. The All Assam Students' Union held lit 10,000...
Good news for Assam cricketers. Captain Dheeraj Jadhav led from the front with an unbeaten ton taking the host to 220 for five at stumps on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Group C match against Tripura in Guwahati on Friday. Jadhav held Assam`s innings together with a patient 127 off 280 balls. He claimed 17 boundaries during his knock. Assam: 220 for five in 90 overs.
Dr Bhupen Hazarika Cultural and Literary Forum is organizing a human chain and pledge t mark the first death anniversary of the music maestro in presence of Tez Hazarika. Tez will lead the human chain with members of the forum and people on November 5. The mother will also accompany him. The event will be led by Amarjyoti Choudhury, who is the president of the forum. The human chain will commence at Latasil.
In a major relief for the tourists, the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary opened on Friday. Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain flagged off the first batch of more than 100 tourists, including nine foreigners for the jeep and elephant safari.
Hussain said the state government was committed to providing improved facilities in the sanctuary in Morigaon district three months are it was severely affected by flood waves. Hussian further launched the eco-friendly solar cycle to enable people to move around the sanctuary. Manas National Park will open on November four.
Yet another blow awaits the common people. The state’s power distribution company is preparing to levy an extra charge of 27 paise per unit for the next three months. The new tariff has come into force from Thursday and it is expected to stay till January 31.
The additional burden will be levied as Fuel and Power Purchase Price Adjustment will by Rs 1.03 per unit. The Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) had wanted a hike of 36 paise per unit in FPPA, which was rejected by Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission and settled at 27 paise per unit.
Tension is simmering along the Assam-Bangladesh border in Cachar district following reports of entering extremists from entering the district for creating law and order problem. The district administration has promulgated prohibitory orders to restrict extremist elements. The prohibitory orders have been enforced as a preventive measure. The district magistrate has directed that no person shall move within one km radius of the Indo-Bangladesh border between 8 pm and 5 in the morning.
Add new comment