PTI
GUWAHATI, NOVEMBER 9
Holding Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for BJP’s debacle in Bihar assembly polls, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said the outcome was a rejection of Modi’s “pro-rich policies” by the people.
“I am one of the happiest men after yesterday’s Bihar results. People have voted against communal and divisive politics of the BJP,” Gogoi told reporters here.
“Narendra Modi had fought the election as if it was a referendum on his policies and people have rejected his pro-rich policies,” he said.
Gogoi said Modi’s failure to translate into action his promises made before last year’s Lok Sabha elections have cost the party “dearly”.
“Modi talks about secularism, but in practice he does the opposite. He made a deliberate attempt through his ministers to spread communalism in the country,” he said adding the people of Bihar have shown that countrymen want to remain united and will side only with the secular forces.
“BJP is totally under the remote control of RSS. I doubt Narendra Modi has the guts to come out of it. Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) calls the shots in BJP,” alleged the Congress chief minister.
Referring to the Gujarat riots of 2002, Gogoi said neither he nor his government has ever been held responsible for instigating violence in riots that happen in Assam.
Gogoi recollected that the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had to remind Modi to adhere to ‘raj dharma’ as the chief minister of a state.
He accused BJP of doing “grave injustice” to Assam and the other north eastern states by allegedly attempting to restrict their special status, besides keeping in suspension the special investment and industrial promotion policy for the region 18 months now.
“We want action from Modi, not merely show of sympathy,” Gogoi said.
However, due to his persistence the Centre and state share of 90:10 funding pattern for Assam has been restored, he added.
