Assam CM contemplating retirement

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi may not contest in the next 2011 Assembly elections. For, he is contemplating to retreat from active politics within three to four years. Especially on personal front, he has long been pressurized to leave this field by his wife Dolly Gogoi. This was disclosed by the most powerful politician and the most “active youth” of the state himself on the very special occasion of his 74th birthday on Saturday.

In a reply to the query of Journalist, Gogoi said that his Government has been implementing various developmental schemes for the overall development of the state, and after placing it in the right track of development, his task will be over and then he will leave active politics forever with contentment.

The 73-year old politician firmly believes that the young generation has great potential and they should be given ample scopes in the field of politics. “The gathering of young people in the politics of the country is always welcome and specifically we welcome them to join the Congress,” a compassionate Gogoi says.

He is of the view that AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s appeal to the youth of the country to join politics is timely and appropriate. Gogoi himself has given special attention in this regard and has appointed a number of young Ministers in his cabinet. Of course, the seniors should make way for the young, Gogoi retorted.

Assam CM has deep empathy for the underprivileged and the poor. The recent group clashes in Udalguri and Darrang have pained him a lot. He feels that the condition in the trouble-torn areas is still critical and the common people are living under violent situation. A total of two lakh displaced people in the clashes have been striving to return to their homes. It is worth mentioning that Gogoi has made a visit to the strife-torn areas of the two districts on Friday and interacted with the affected people to access the real situation.

He admitted that the affected people have been going through a phase of great distress and despair. “A sense of insecurity is still there. But I have asked the officials and the village defence unit leaders to chalk out an action plan for their speedy rehabilitation so that normalcy can be brought to the region and the displaced people can return to their respective homes”, a sympathetic chief minister maintains.

In fact, he didn’t celebrate his 74th birthday, for the recent killings in Udalguri and Darrang have made him sad and depressed. Moreover, one of his brothers too expires recently, which was another reason.

But the Chief Minister resolves to take up some new schemes for the benefit of the students, women and children fraternity in the next month itself. He gives special focus to the restoration of peace and brotherhood and employment generation in the state.

Gogoi firmly believes that the willingness of various Private sector units and big Groups like TATA, Coca Cola, to invest in various sectors will usher a new era in the state. The process of industrialization will also be in rapid state that way, he stated.

Ujjal Borah

The author is an independent journalist based in Guwahati. He can be reached at ujjalborah@gmail.com