With eyes on five of the 39 Assembly constituencies going for polls on April 1, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday promised to implement Article 244 (A) of the Constitution that allows creation of an autonomous state within Assam for tribal-dominated districts.
"BJP is attacking the culture and traditions of the hill tribes by trying to withdraw the Article 244(A). The upcoming Congress government will ensure that article 244(A) is not diluted and all its clauses are implemented to protect the interests of indigenous people,” Gandhi said in a video message.
Rahul was scheduled to address rallies in Silchar (South Assam), Haflong and Bokajan (in the hills districts of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong) but the rallies were cancelled due to bad weather. Bokajan, Diphu, Howraghat, Baithalangso and Haflong constituencies will go for polls on April 1.
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Autonomous state is a long-sought demand by indigenous communities in Karbi Anglong and neighbouring Dima Hasao districts. On February 25 this year, several organisations in Karbi Anglong demanded Home Minister Amit Shah at a function to fulfill the demand to implement Article 244 (A). Shah or any other BJP leaders have not said anything on the demand.
A statement issued by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee said on Tuesday that Congress government in 1969 had inserted article 244(A) in the Constitution to enact a law for constituting an autonomous State within the State of Assam and also to provide the autonomous State with a Legislature, Council of Ministers or both with such powers and functions as may be defined by that law. "The 22nd Amendment amended Article 275 in regard to sums and grants payable to the autonomous State on and from its formation under article 244(A).
The Congress party had also inserted a new article 371B which provided for constitution and functions of a committee of the Legislative Assembly, of the State of Assam consisting of members of that Assembly, elected from the tribal areas specified in Part A of the Table appended to Paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule, and such number of other members of that Assembly as may be specified in the order," said the statement.
The demand was reiterated after 1,040 militants belonging to insurgent groups, Peoples Democratic Council of Karbi Longri (PDCK), Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF), Karbi People's Liberation Tigers (KPLT), United People's Liberation Army (UPLA) and Kuki Liberation Front (KLF), had formally laid down their weapons in February.
BJP leader and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the Centre would soon sign a "comprehensive" accord with the Karbi groups, which would address all issues including the demand for Article 244 (A).
Of the total 126 Assembly seats, polling was conducted for 47 seats in the first phase on March 27. Elections for 39 seats will be held on April 1 and for the remaining 40 seats in the third and final phase on April 6.