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| Deven Dutta (centre) with Atul Bora (to his left) at the Trinamul Gana Parishad office after his candidature was announced on Tuesday. Picture by S.H. Patgiri |
March 2: Consumer rights activist and former vice-principal and head of the department of English, Cotton College, Deven Dutta, will contest the prestigious Guwahati seat as a Trinamul Gana Parishad (TGP) candidate.
Announcing Dutta’s candidature, TGP general secretary Atul Bora today announced that his party would contest only the Guwahati seat in the parliamentary elections, considering its “limited” organisational base.
The TGP had earlier offered the seat to culture icon Bhupen Hazarika. “We wanted Bhupenda as a consensus Independent candidate of all the parties from here (Guwahati),” the TGP chief said.
Having roped in Dutta as its candidate, the party hoped that the multifaceted social activist and “an acclaimed debater” would be the “right person” to highlight the problems of the state in Parliament.
Dutta shot to fame by persistently taking up the various civic problems of the city. He said by deciding to associate with a party which “believes in ideology” rather than “men and muscle power”, he would be able to serve the people better.
“I have decided to contest this election with a commitment and a mission to highlight the bias of New Delhi against Assam in particular and the Northeast in general,” Dutta told newsmen at TGP headquarters here.
Apart from being involved in various social organisations, the educationist-turned-consumer rights activist-turned politician has also taken part in stage shows.
Justifying the party’s decision to contest the lone seat, the TGP chief said, “Ours is a small party with limited men and money power. Since our organisation is strong in Guwahati, we decided that we would channel all our energy and resources on this seat.”
He said the party would come out with a manifesto within a week.
Atul Bora also criticised Bhupen Hazarika for joining the BJP, having turned down the TGP’s offer of fielding him as an “Independent consensus” candidate. He said by joining the BJP, Hazarika had not only harmed himself but also sullied the image of the state.
“He should not have taken such a decision which would lower his stature at the age of 78. He will regret his decision,” Bora said.
He said the BJP would not gain much from Hazarika’s entry into the party. Rather, it would only end up antagonising some members inside the BJP.
“The people are angry over his decision and the BJP will have to bear the brunt of the anger,” he said.