Chooses Key Days To Launch Populist Schemes

Guwahati: With less than two years to go for the assembly elections and its popularity dipping to a new low in last Lok Sabha election, the ruling Congress will get into the poll mode riding on government-funded programmes from October 31.
All the programmes are of the state panchayat and rural development and each one will be launched on significant dates. The state Pradesh Congress Committee has called the rank and file of the party to actively participate in these programmes.
The first date with voters is on October 31, the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. On that day, the panchayat and rural development department will carry out a ceremonial foundation laying of minimum 50,000 Indira Awas Yojna houses across the state.
The next event is on November 5, the death anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika. On that day, panchayat and rural development plans to lay the foundation for constructing open stages and parks in the name of the legend in every block of the state. The project will be carried out under MGNREGA.
On India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday on November 14, a foundation-laying ceremony will be held for construction of rural sports complexes in the name of the former PM in every block along with Sishu Seuj Prakalpa (greenery project for children). Funds for both will come from MGNREGA.
On Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary on November 19, the Adarsha Gramin Paki Path (model rural metalled road) in each block will be launched. The rural development department will announce digging of ponds in every block in the name of Ahom king Swargadeo Rudra Singh.
Congress leaders find nothing wrong in using government programmes as a publicity plank for the party ahead of elections. Their justification is the party is in power and the government and the party work in close coordination before the election.
Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhubaneswar Kalita said, “Certainly we are going into the poll mode. These are government programmes and so representatives from all parties will be invited but being the ruling party, we want to participate in these programmes in a bigger way.”
He said these programmes will be carried out simultaneously in all blocks and districts.