Evolution is an important phenomenon in the global politics. It may be a product of revolution or an automatic exercise. The global nations are having immense constituents to carry on the power scenario. The fundamental ingredients are that- there must be a territorial base, population, a Government and sovereignty. India is recognized as a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic- Republic in the global map. The federal structured territory of India has as many as twenty ninth part-States with six Union territories. Assam is one of the part States of the Indian sub-continent, having a popular Government to rule the State subject to the powers exercisable exclusively by the Government of India by enactments made under Article 246(1) read with List-I (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India (Constitution). An evolution in political scenario is a time bound factor to ensure a healthy democratic set- up of Government for curbing any trend of high-handedness or autocracy by any political party or parties in power either at the national or at the State level. The Indian democracy is having this broad concept. The Congress Party, Janata Party, Janata Dal, Bharatiya Janata Party singly or with the constituents of the alliance parties are ruling the Indian sub-continent. It is noteworthy that no Government was ever over-thrown by any coupe like other neighbouring countries.
Assam, a part of the federal India, has been mostly under the political Government excepting the President Rules on three or four
occasions on account of political instability. The congress party ruled the State continuously since 1947 till the early part of 1978 under the
dynamic stewardship of the following august personalities:
1. Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi- 1947 to 5th August, 1950
2. Bishnu Ram Medhi- 1950 to 1957
3. Bimala Prasad Chaliha 1957 to 1970
4. Mahendra Mohan Choudhury- 1970 to 1971
5. Sarat Chandra Singha- 1972 to 1978
The Congress party failed to come to the power in 1978 election and the Janata Party, headed by Golap Barbara became the head of the
Government. This government was short-lived. Thereafter, Jogen Hazarika, the Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly formed a party under
the banner of Asam Janta Party and became the Chief Minister. After a few days, the said Government fell and Presidents Rule was imposed.
Thereafter, Syeda Anowara Taimur, Keshab Chandra Gogoi of Congress became the Chief Minister of Assam for short periods. Again President
Rule was imposed, which lasted about one year. In order to avert the constitutional crisis, election has held forcibly without the proper mandate of
the people of Assam, Hiteswar Saikia took over the helm of power after such illegal election of1983. Unrest took place in the soil of Assam
following a mass movement led by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) in collaboration with the constituent organizations under the banner of
Gana Sangram Samitee on the sensitive foreigners’ issue. In fact, Assam became a den of the foreign nationals after the cold and silent aggression
of a section of the Bangladesh nationals since after partition of India. It reached to the climax after the liberation movement in East Pakisthan and
creation of Bangladesh, which is still continuing. Almost all the indigenous people of Assam rose to the occasion, but the Government of India did
not care to make immediate solution though there was heavy blood shed. Ultimately, at the behest of Rajib Gandhi, the then Prime Minister
of India a negotiation was made by a treaty titled as ‘Assam Accord’ in the early hours of August, 15th, 1985. The illegally constituted Assam
Assembly was dissolved and a fresh election was held.
The people of Assam voted to power the newly formed Assam Gana Parishad (AGP) led by the AASU with other constituent ingredients of
the Gana Sangram Samittee and the said party took over reign of Asssam on December, 24, 1985 with the AASU leader Prafulla Kumar Mahanta
as the Chief Minister. Their modus operandi, however, disappointed the people of Assam very soon. They could not drive out the foreigners, the
the first and foremost promise projected in the election manifesto. Rampant corruption gained the momentum. A section of the revolutionist with
arm activities started to create the reign of terror. The Government of India had to promulgate the President Rule to overcome the unruly situation.
In the next phase, the Congress Party came to the power under the leadership of Hiteswar Saikia in 1991. This Government was not at all in
favour of driving out the foreign nationals; rather they were keen provide security of the Vote bank, created by the foreigners. After 5 years , the
people overthrew the Congress regime. The AGP party again came to the power. This time, the performances proved to be the worst. People were
constrained to believe that they have been cheated by this regional party since beginning. The Congress party thus again came to the power in
2001election under theleadership of Tarun Gogoi. Congress party was voted to power for the second time in 2006 as well. People of Assam are
well aware of the mal-functioning of this Government, but they had to exercise their franchise in favour of the Congress party, as they found no
other party choice able party was there.The deteriorating law and order situation, high price rise, rampant corruption is gaining the momentum
in this regime. People of Assam are now the silent spectators to all odds. The Assembly election of Assam is knocking at the door. The question
now arises, who will be installed in the power scenario in 2011 election?
In Assam, Congress party is predominating since the beginning. The AGP came to the power scenario like a comet. There had been
disintegration of the party on a number of occasions on power mongering issues. Though, of late, reunited, the party members could not yet give good bye to the internal disputes and differences for the party stability. The confidence of the people has not been restored, which is evident from the numbers of bye-elections., The Lok Sabha poll of 2009 proved all the exercise futile. The Bharatiya Janata Party was, no doubt, an ideal party, but the inner quarrel and conflict has been detrimental to the unity and integrity of the party. The party is also not well organized in Assam and it is yet to strengthen its base yard. The Leftist Parties are also not very much relevant in Assam politics. It has been seen, of late, that the Autonomous Districts, like Karbi Anglong, North Cachar and Bodo Land have their district base and entity and they are capable to influence the political power scenario of Assam to a great extent. The United Democratic Front occupied a sizeable berth in the last State Assembly election. These parties are thus playing the pivotal role in formation of the Government. No forecast is possible at this stage as to the formation of Government in 2011 election by other parties unless they change their style of functioning and are up and doing to gain the confidence of the mass people.
A regional party has a dire necessity to ventilate the will and aspiration of the people and safe guard the regional interest. This is possible, when the peoples’ trust is bestowed upon the party incumbents. The AGP at this moment with the present incumbents seems to be not to the utter choice of the people. The inner party requires a reformation and renovation with fresh bloods, beset with dynamism and integrity. There must be a grass- root organization with constructive works to win the hearts of the people. A section of the veteran leaders are eager to mend the shortfalls and to come up with the new visions with constructive approaches, but it will be possible, when the grass root level is organized properly and systematically and they are keen to remove the economic disparity of the weaker section with constructive outlooks.
(Mrinal Kanti Chakrabartty)
“Rudra Bhawan”
R.G.Barua Road, 10- Lakhimipath
Guwahati -781-024
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Review on Mrinal Kanti Chakrabartty’s book “Jiwan Darshan”
Review on Mrinal Kanti Chakrabartty’s book “Jiwan Darshan” in “ Asomiya Journalist” Magazine (7th Edition December’2009)
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