Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday promised to implement Article 244A of the Constitution and initiate action against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma if his party comes to power after next month’s assembly elections, attacking the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over governance, alleged corruption and control over tribal areas.
Addressing an election meeting in Karbi Anglong, Gandhi said Article 244A, which provides for the creation of an autonomous state within Assam’s tribal areas, would be enforced to ensure greater self-governance.
“We are fully committed to the implementation of 244A and no one will run your affairs using a remote control from Guwahati. We want you to control your future, run your politics and take decisions on your lands. For this 244A is a must and we will deliver it,” he said.
Article 244A provides for the formation of an autonomous state comprising all or part of the tribal areas in Assam, as listed under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, along with a local legislature or council of ministers. The Sixth Schedule enables the creation of autonomous district councils (ADCs) in tribal areas of Assam, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya.
These elected councils have powers over land, forests, water, resources, social customs and inheritance. In Assam, there are three ADCs — Bodoland, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
Gandhi alleged that the BJP-led governments at the Centre and Assam have curtailed the autonomy of these councils and allocated large tracts of land to industrial houses.
“Congress believes in decentralisation of power where it rests with the people and all identities have a role in how the country runs. On the other hand, BJP’s ideology believes that Assam and its people should be run from Delhi. We believe you should be able to take your decisions like provided in the constitution,” he said.
“They (BJP) think that your land, water, forests and other resources go to the hands of industrial houses. This is not given for free. These lands which belong to you have been given to these industrial houses who in turn have paid large sums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who use that money during election,” he added.
Targeting the chief minister, Gandhi alleged corruption and said strict action would follow if Congress formed the government.
“Sarma runs a syndicate. When our government forms, he will become silent and come to us with folded hands. There will be no forgiveness and he will have to face the consequences of his corruption,” he said.
In a ‘charge sheet’ released last month, Congress had accused the chief minister and his family of amassing over 4,000 acres of land in the state through corruption.
Gandhi also referred to the party’s manifesto promises, including a commitment to ensure justice in the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg. A murder trial in the case, with seven accused, is currently being heard on a daily basis in a fast-track court.
“Zubeen stood for Assam and every single person in the state. We love and respect him because he represented the multi-cultural and multi-religious identity of Assam,” he said.
He also addressed the India-US trade deal, accusing the Centre of hurting farmers’ interests by opening markets to US agricultural products and compromising on energy and data security.
