Guwahati: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Friday alleged that the state government has failed to give due respect to singer Zubeen Garg and neglected the upkeep of Zubeen Kshetra.
“The government has not paid the due respect to Zubeen Kshetra as it should have. The Chief Minister is busy with self-promotion. Zubeen Kshetra has not been properly maintained. No significant steps have been taken for its development,” Gogoi said while interacting with the media during the second phase of the ‘Xomoy Poribortonor’ Yatra in Sivasagar district.
He claimed that fans and family members had to clean and maintain the site themselves, which, according to him, reflects the government’s failure.
“It is extremely unfortunate that a government which frequently talks about building flyovers has done nothing for the development of Zubeen Kshetra,” he added.
The second phase of the yatra, launched by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), entered Sivasagar district on Friday. The programme began from the public playground at Dimow under Gogoi’s leadership. Starting with the devotional naam, the procession moved from Dimow to Athabari. After halting at Bakata for a public meeting, the yatra proceeded towards Sivasagar town.
During the yatra, the Congress leadership also offered prayers at Shri Shri Sankardev Namghar at Panibil Gomothagaon in Sivasagar. Party supporters raised slogans and sang campaign songs as the procession moved through Dimow and Sivasagar constituencies.
Addressing roadside meetings at different locations, Gogoi said that people of Assam now want a peaceful and new “Greater Assam” instead of what he described as fear and intimidation under the present government.
He alleged that people were no longer afraid of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and were extending support to the Congress.
He further alleged that government schools are being closed while liquor shops are opening in villages and that drugs are being traded openly without adequate concern from authorities. He also claimed that money is being distributed to youths for votes without proper monitoring.
Referring to welfare schemes, Gogoi said women in Assam do not want to remain mere beneficiaries. He alleged that many women feel uncomfortable receiving financial assistance under the Orunodoi scheme through loans.
He said women want to become self-reliant and stand on their own feet. According to him, if the Congress forms the government, policies would be reviewed and improved, and eligible women would receive benefits directly in their bank accounts without having to attend party meetings.
Gogoi was accompanied by Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, MP Pradyut Bordoloi, former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, Titabor MLA Bhaskar Jyoti Baruah and several senior leaders and workers of the Sivasagar District Congress.
Party sources said the ‘Xomoy Poribortonor’ Yatra will continue on Saturday in Naharkatia and Duliajan in Dibrugarh district under Gogoi’s leadership in the presence of senior party leaders.