The Assam state unit of the National People’s Party (NPP) said on Sunday that they will field candidates in all the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam. Talking to media persons, state co-convenor of Assam Kamala Rajkonwar said that they will fight the elections to “protect the interests of the indigenous people of Assam”. “We will fight the election against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2016 because it was an anti-Assamese bill. If the central leadership does not agree for 14 seats then we will contest in seven to eight seats in Assam.”
Rajkonwar came down heavily on Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) for “playing with the sentiments of the people”. “The AGP had snapped ties with BJP over CAB. Now, they have again patched up with the saffron party as they are totally power-hungry. They are into cheap politics,” he fumed. He said that NPP wants to emerge as a strong regional party in Assam because “AGP has totally failed the people of the state”. “Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma will address a poll rally in Dibrugarh. Conrad Sangma has taken a bold step by opposing CAB tooth and nail,” stated Uttam Kumar Barua, district convenor of NPP.
Barua added that very soon they will finalise the candidates’ list. NPP will not tie up with any other party for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. “Our party will basically fight for the rights of the indigenous people because the powers that be in New Delhi have always tried to trample upon the rights of the indigenous people of Assam. We want to work for the development of these people,” asserted Barua.