Guwahati, July 17: The Opposition is looking to corner the new BJP-led government on various issues, particularly the ongoing violence over setting up of an AIIMS in the state, during the budget session of the Assam Assembly beginning tomorrow.
The Opposition Congress is likely to demand statements from the government on auction of oil fields, sharp price rise of various commodities because of hike in VAT, implementation of the Assam Accord and starting of the process by the Centre to allow non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh to stay in India.
The leader of the Opposition and Congress Nazira MLA Debabrata Saikia told The Telegraph this evening that while his party would adhere to rules and proceedings of the Assembly to raise all important issues, it would not spare the government if it wanted to take the Opposition for a ride.
"The people of the state will eagerly look to the Assembly session for the government's convincing responses on these issues. We will not keep mum if the government does not come up with satisfactory replies," he said.
Saikia, who led a team of Congress MLAs and top party functionaries this afternoon to Raha in Nagaon district to meet those spearheading a movement for setting up an AIIMS there, said the party had assured the people that it would raise the issue in the Assembly.
One person was killed and many were injured on Friday when the movement against setting up AIIMS in Changsari in Kamrup district turned violent at Raha.
"We have told the people of Raha that as a responsible Opposition, the Congress will put pressure on the state government to explore the possibility of reviewing the decision of setting up an AIIMS," Saikia said.
The BJP, on the other hand, today blamed a "third force" for Friday's violence at Raha over AIIMS.
Party leader Jayanta Malla Baruah said the BJP respected the peaceful and democratic agitation to demand setting up an AIIMS at Raha but there was a "third force" that incited violence on Friday.
Baruah said this issue should not be politicised. "Our first priority should be that an AIIMS should be set up in Assam, its location should not be an issue."
Leadership of 17 non-political organisations today arranged a public meeting at Raha to chalk out a strategy on the issue. A platform was later formed with senior Tiwa leader Prahlad Masrang as its chief convener.
"By establishing an AIIMS at Raha, Dispur could give people of the two central Assam districts justice. We are strongly against violence and our democratic struggle will continue till the people get justice," Binod Hazarika, a protester, said.
Sources said it would be interesting to see how the AGP, which is a partner in the BJP-led government, would respond to the issues faced by the government.
The party is critical of the government's stand on auction of oil fields, setting up of AIIMS at Changsari and allowing non-Muslim migrants from Bangladesh to stay in Assam. The AGP, however, refused to divulge its plans.
The 15-day budget session of the Assembly will be held from July 18 to 22, July 25 to 29 and August 8 to 12. The budget will be tabled at 11am on July 26 and it will be passed on August 10.
On the first day of the budget session, the Assam Amusement and Betting Tax Amendment Bill, 2016, will be tabled by finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
