|
Guwahati, June 21: Altogether 35 people, including BJP leaders Charan Deka and Barki Prasad Telenga and theatre personality Taufique Rahman, joined the AGP today.
The development comes close on the heels of two-time former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta taking over the reins of the party from Chandra Mohan Patowary.
Besides them, retired employees of the Assam government and insurance companies, doctors, former AASU and Juba Chatra Parishad leaders and former members of All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students’ Association from Barak Valley also joined the regional party.
Mahanta, Chandra Mohan Patowary, Kamala Kalita, Atul Bora and other executive members were present during the ceremony held at the party head office in Guwahati to welcome the new memberswith phulam gamosas.
The new members paid Rs 5 as membership fee.
Today was also the death anniversary of AGP’s former president and academician Paragdhar Chaliha.
The party members paid tributes to Chaliha and a naam prasanga was organised at the headquarters on the occasion.
“The AGP has been trying to develop the state. Braving ups and downs, the party has attained today’s position. They have joined the party because they are attracted to it and have expressed faith in it. I hope we will be able to take the party forward with them,” said Mahanta.
Barki Prasad Telenga was one of AGP’s founder members and also a minister. He said when he was in the AGP, he tried his best to ensure that the party won the elections.
“But I had to leave the party after a bad day. However, being away from the party was difficult. I feel that now people of the state want AGP to form the government. I have returned to the party to work for it and spread the message that there is a need for a regional party in the state,” said Telenga.
Charan Deka said he joined the party with new hope.
“I had joined the BJP thinking that a party with its presence both in the Centre and state will be helpful for the state. But I did not get what I expected. Besides, I have been emotionally close to the AGP,” said Deka.
While theatre personality Touffic Rahman said his faith in the regional party and its leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta were the reasons why he joined the party.
Parvez Sultan Majumdar, former general secretary of All Cachar Karimganj Hailakandi Students’ Association, said the failure of the Congress to develop Barak Valley, particularly road communication in the region, was the main reason why he wanted to join the AGP.
The first executive meeting of the party after Mahanta took charge as its president will be held tomorrow.
| 
