At a time when the leaders of various non-political organizations and the State’s players expressing concern over the College of Veterinary Science playground at Khanapara being turned into a ground of political activities, the opposition Congress leaders have also voiced against it.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) senior spokesman Apurba Bhattacharya, Nagaon’s former MLA and Congress general secretary Durlav Chamua, and Congress leader Bobbeeta Sharma expressed their concern in this regard while talking to Northeast Now.
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Apurba Bhattacharya said, “As it is a playground, sports activities should get preference here. There is no second opinion in it.”
He also said as there are not enough spaces for sports activities in the State, especially in Guwahati, therefore the playgrounds should be reserved for sports only.
Bhattacharya mentioned about the need of a separate ground for the use of political parties.
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“There is nothing to speak if the Government can go ahead by maintaining co-ordination between both sports and political meetings,” he added.
“If question has been raised over the damage of the playground prepared by the curator due to organise Modi’s meeting, there is the need to review this whole matter. The people of the administration and other concerned authority also cannot avoid responsibility. There is the need to create ground reserved for the use of public meetings,” said APCC spokesman Bhattacharya.
He also said on the ground of security, a public playground should not be kept away from the use of the players for one week or 3-4 days.
Moreover, he also requested Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to consult with the players, sports lovers in this regard. He said, “The advices of only the administration and officers cannot be right.”
On the other hand, former Nagaon MLA Durlav Chamua while expressing concern over political meetings being organized in playgrounds said the playgrounds should always be kept fit for sports and there should another ground for holding political meetings.
“The public can never support destruction of a cricket pitch for organizing a political meeting. However, it is easy to damage a cricket pitch by a Government, which cannot protect the women, has no humanity and has been harassing the common man with price rise,” alleged Chamua.
Besides, Congress leader Bobbeeta Sharma, while admitting that huge public meetings were also organized during the Congress regime, said, “A discussion should be held on the issue among all the political and non-political organizations and a separate ground should be selected near Guwahati to organize public meetings.”
She also said, “Latashil Field should not be the only playground; the College of Veterinary Science playground at Khanapara should also be left.”
“Depriving the students and other players, the playgrounds should not be blocked for organizing political meetings or Mela,” Sharma said.
Sharma also appealed to the State Government for selecting an open place which has no connection with any educational institution for holding political meetings or rally.