BJP aiming to create law and order problem, impose President's rule : CM

Coming down heavily on BJP's 'Dispur Gherao' protest, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today said it was aimed at creating law and order problem so that President's Rule could be imposed in the state.

"BJP's Dispur Gherao protest today was just to cover up Modi government's failure in fulfilling the promises... BJP is trying to create a law and order problem in the state at any cost and wants to impose President's Rule here," Gogoi told a press conference here.

"BJP is trying to foment communal clashes and we have got intelligence inputs about this and attempts are being made to put beef inside temples. They are trying this in sensitive places like Silchar and Dhubri... They are also encouraging extremists, including both insurgents and jehadis, in Assam," he alleged.

Gogoi said RSS, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Sena and other Hindutva elements were working under the guidance of a senior BJP leader to create law and order problem in the state so that grounds could be cleared for imposition of the President's Rule.

The BJP, he said, does not want to contest the forthcoming Assembly polls as "they know that if the Congress government remains, it will do more good work in the remaining few months".

The Narendra Modi government at the Centre has failed on its promises such as bringing back black money, controlling inflation, deporting illegal immigrants, job creation and not constructing big dams among others, he added.

"There is no match in their words and deeds. Digital India, Make in India -- these are just to divert the attention from main issues," Gogoi said.

The BJP's state unit today organised a march to Dispur to protest against the alleged corrupt rule of the Congress government.

Many BJP leaders and supporters have been detained after it turned violent and police fired rubber bullets in the air, lobbed tear gas shells and used water cannons to control the mob.

"We are for democratic peaceful protests and many agitations are going on at this moment, but they are not trying to create law and order situation. BJP wanted to come to capital complex at Dispur and gherao it and Assembly. How can you allow that?" the Assam Chief Minister said.

He alleged that the first attempt to destabilise his government was made before Bihar polls after BJP inducted former minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who tried to take 35 Congress MLAs to the opposition party.

When asked if he is afraid of Himanta's popularity, Gogoi said,  "BJP thought that bringing Himanta will finish the Congress, but that never happened. I am not bothered about Himanta, why should I? If I am not afraid of Modi, then how can I be of Himanta? Who is Himanta?"
The Chief Minister said Modi is not serving the interest of the people.

He said the Centre has not announced any special funds for Assam despite more than 60 persons losing their lives in the latest floods.

"Assam will lose Rs 6,500 crore this fiscal due to withdrawing of Special Status Category state and change in funding pattern. Why are BJP MPs from the state not saying anything against this? I have never seen such spineless MPs in my life," he added.

Commenting on BJP National Spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain's statement that "Jungle Raj" is prevailing in Assam, Gogoi said, "Why is then Sarbananda Sonowal trying to hold SAF games here?"