Kokrajhar, April 7: The usually sleepy Bodoland Territorial Council has become a much sought after destination of “high-flying” national and regional leaders who are landing in choppers to garner support for their party candidates.
With a few days to go for the second phase of Assembly elections in the state, the whirr of helicopters in the Bodo belt drowns other sounds.
Among the central leaders who toured Kokrajhar today is Union minister for minority affairs Salman Khurshid who landed at Fakiragram to campaign for Congress candidate from Kokrajhar (West), Lohendra Basumatary. Union minister of state for communications and information technology Sachin Pilot campaigned for Congress candidate from Gossaigaon, Chrisostom Tudu, at nearby Hatidura in Kokrajhar. AGP working president Phanibhushan Choudhury, too, campaigned today. Tomorrow, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal will hold rallies here.
Unlike previous elections where roads were the only means of communication, the leaders this time are flying in choppers, especially in remote areas, much to the excitement of the local people who throng the rally grounds to catch a glimpse of the flying machines from close quarters and not to hear the leaders’ speech.
Anwara Bibi, a mother of two, was busy to catch a glimpse of the helicopter with her two children as a central leader was addressing a rally. “I have come here like any other woman in the village, but we do not understand Hindi,” she said.
A little distance away two boys were discussing how many people could sit inside as they looked curiously at the helicopter. They, however, know little about the candidate who has come in the chopper.
It is not only the central leaders who are flying high this time.
BPF president and chief of BTC Hagrama Mohilary was seen flying in his hired chopper from one place to another while campaigning for BPF candidates Pramila Rani Brahma (Kokrajhar East), Pradip Brahma (Kokrajhar West) and Uma Rani Basumatary (Bilasipara West).
With peace and development and corruption as the main agenda in this year election in this part of the region, the leaders promise to work for the development of the area and oust corruption if voted to power.
The promises, however, have little impact on the electorate who have been hearing of tall promises every election.
“They are flying here in public money and making promises, but will the promises ever be fulfilled? It is hard to believe them (leaders) these days. They come and go but do little,” said an unemployed youth who identified himself as Md Faisal.
Echoing an elderly woman, Rukshana Bibi said: “Prices are going up and essential items for rural people like kerosene and sugar are hard to get if you do not buy these in black market. We wish our leaders just make sure that we get these in original price,” she said.
