NDA draws AGP ire over ‘Brahmaputra neglect’

GUWAHATI: The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) slammed the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for neglecting the river Brahmaputra and ignoring various developmental projects. AGP demanded proper utilization of the potential of the Brahmaputra as the regional party continued its Jatiya Setona Jatra across the state.
"The Union government led by BJP continues to deceive the people of Assam.Among others, the BJP government has completely ignored the river Brahmaputra, which is the lifeline of the region. We welcomed their move to clean Ganga, but they are clearly discriminating against us," said AGP leader Manoj Saikia.
AGP demanded that the river be used to bring development to the region. "We also oppose the proposal of the river linking project as it will harm the interests of the state. Instead, we demand that the proper policy be made to utilize the river for tourism as well as a route for trade and commerce," Saikia said.
The AGP leadership has also promised to continue their agitation against the "anti-people" policies for the state by the government.
A sum of Rs 2,037 crore was allocated for an integrated Ganga development project during the budget session.
AGP also staged state-wide protests slamming the Union government for their U-turn on the mega dam issue. AGP also burnt the effigy of Union minister of power for state affairs Piyush Goyal. "At any cost we can't let the mega dam to be constructed, as it will harm people of the state. We also condemn the dual standards of BJP on the issue. They fooled people and won votes," said AGP general secretary Ramendra Narayan Kalita.
Moreover, AGP delegates including party president Atul Bora reached various locations of Jorhat during their Jatiya Setona Jatra.