Former Asom Sahitya Sabha president Nagen Saikia has advocated the formation of a new political party to protect the interests of the indigenous people of Assam.
Addressing a press conference at his residence on Tuesday in Dibrugarh, Saikia, who is also a former Rajya Sabha member said the existing political parties have failed to safeguard the interests of the indigenous people.
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“The time has come for the people of the state to think about an alternative political party,” said noted litterateur Saikia.
“Assam today needs a powerful alternative party which can protect the interests of the indigenous people. But it should not be like the regional party, AGP,” he added.
Also read: AASU hints at floating a political party
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All the parties have miserably failed to safeguard the interests of the indigenous people, he lamented.
“A steering committee of prominent persons selected from every section of the society should be formed first to give advice and suggestions to the new party,” Saikia suggested.
He also said the leaders should be chosen carefully and a constitution of the new party will have to be formulated.
Also read: Assam: New political party to protect indigenous people’s identity
“We have to choose our own path as no one from outside is going to think about the future of our people,” Saikia added.
Saikia further said the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 will never be acceptable for the people of Assam as it is a major threat to their identity, language, and culture.
He alleged that the BJP government was trying to impose dictatorial rule among the people by bringing in such Act.
Saikia also accused some state BJP leaders and spokespersons of ‘intentionally twisting’ his views on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).