Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday chaired an all-party meeting at Assam Administrative Staff College to discuss the issue of the BTC election and the current scenario in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
Principal secretary to the health department, Samir Kumar Sinha, gave a detailed presentation regarding the COVID19 scenario in the state in the meeting.
Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in view of the possibility of a rapid increase in the spread of Coronavirus in the forthcoming festive season, a proposal has been submitted to the chief minister to hold the BTC election in December.
Sarma said to reach a unanimous decision regarding the BTC election in view of the COVID19 pandemic, the all-party meeting was called following the direction of the chief minister.
During the meeting, Kokrajhar MP Naba Kumar Sarania; UPPL’s Pramod Bodo, BPPF’s Rabiram Narzary, AIUDF’s Aminul Islam, Indian National Congress’ Durga Das Boro and CPI-M’s Deben Bhattacharya were present.
Bharatiya Gana Parishad’s Sukanta Majumdar, Lalit Pegu of Voters Party International, Keshab Mahanta of AGP and BJP’s Jayanta Das were present at the all-party meeting.
The representatives of various political parties expressed their opinions about holding the BTC election.
Saying that the all-party meeting was called for knowing the views of all political parties regarding BTC elections, Sonowal said the democratic system must be taken forward by all the stakeholders and he stressed on the need to work with ‘Team Assam’ spirit cutting across political affiliations.
He also said views of the parties have been duly noted for discussion in Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting and the interests of the people of BTR would be given priority while taking any decision.
Sonowal stated that importance would be given to take forward the democratic process while observing all necessary health protocols and both the government and opposition must be united to serve the interest of the people.
Industries minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, agriculture minister Atul Bora, PHE minister Rihan Daimary, WPTBC minister Chandan Brahma along with several other ministers and top officials of the state government attended the meeting.