Opposition sees political motive in Akhil's arrest

GUWAHATI: With the Lok Sabha polls drawing near, the arrest of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) president Akhil Gogoi is becoming an issue for opposition parties and activists to attack the ruling Congress in the state. At a protest meet here on Monday, several activists and representatives of political parties alleged that Akhil's arrest was a conspiracy to stop KMSS's land rights movement before the election.
AGP leader, and one of the counsels for Akhil, Bijon Mahajan alleged the arrest was made so that the election could be conducted without the KMSS president leading the land rights movement.
"There is a political motive here.The arrest means that Congress can contest the election without Akhil leading any protest against it. That is why more cases were slapped on him," Mahajan alleged.
Social activist Ajay Dutta alleged that Congress did not want Akhil to hold demonstrations against the party during election. Litterateur Nirupama Borgohain said, due to the absence of strong opposition parties, KMSS had emerged as a force against the government.
"The movement seeks rights over land by the landless. We must all stand united for this struggle," Borgohain said.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Kailash Sarma said, despite the arrest, protests will be continued.
"It was thought that if Akhil is in jail, there will be no more protest for land rights. But peasants in large numbers came out on Monday to condemn the arrest," Sarma said.
Sarma added that his party is in solidarity with KMSS's land rights movement.
Congress has denied the charge that Akhil's arrest will help it in electioneering and said the party has been winning successive elections because of people's confidence in the government.
"In the run-up to the 2011 assembly election, KMSS protested against our party. KMSS activists even prevented our candidates from campaigning in many places. Despite that, Congress won the election," Congress leader Akhay Rajkhowa said. Rajkhowa claimed that Congress's support base among common people cannot be affected by KMSS or other opposition parties' protest.