HT Bureau
DIPHU, April 15: The BJP, contesting under the 6 – Diphu (ST) Parliamentary Constituency encompassing the three hill districts of Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, and Dima Hasao, has unveiled its election manifesto for the upcoming second phase of Parliamentary elections in Assam on April 26.
The manifesto was released at the BJP election management committee office in Rongnihang on Sunday, April 14.
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Similar to the Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) and All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC), the national party BJP in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao has prioritised the implementation of Article 244(A) of the Indian constitution for the creation of an autonomous state.
In previous elections, the BJP has championed the ‘small state agenda’ in their manifestos, garnering significant voter support.
The manifesto reaffirms the BJP’s commitment to address the long-standing demand for implementing Article 244(A) and creating an Autonomous State within the state by upgrading the existing Autonomous Councils of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
The party also emphasised that this issue has been central to their election manifestos in past Parliamentary elections (2014, 2019), Assembly elections (2016, 2021), and Autonomous Council elections (2017, 2022).
Additionally, the manifesto calls for candidates from Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao to be exempted from appearing for MIL (Modern Indian Language) papers in examinations conducted by UPSC, similar to candidates from other tribal areas of Northeastern states.
The party further highlighted the need for direct funding, access to Article 280, creation of a new Lok Sabha seat, full implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Settlement (MoS), enhanced allocation of funds to the Autonomous Council at par with special category states of Northeast India, restoration of Autonomous Council’s rights over mines and minerals, establishment of a new airport, and allocation of 25% share of power from the Amtereng Hydro-electric power project to KAAC, among other issues.
Furthermore, the manifesto proposes the establishment of new educational institutions, including a National Institute of Technology (NIT), a full-fledged Central University named after Late Semson Sing Engti by upgrading the existing Diphu Campus of Assam University, an Agriculture University, and Central Polytechnic Institutes in the two districts.
It also emphasised the importance of connecting economic lifeline roads, detailing various road projects aimed at improving connectivity across the region.
