Assam Congress decides to break ties with Badruddin Ajmal's AIUDF, BPF
Guwahati, Aug 30: The opposition 'Grand Alliance' in Assam is set to collapse with the state Congress on Monday announcing that it has decided to break ties with Badruddin Ajmal-led AIUDF and the Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF).
The AIUDF said the unilateral decision of the Congress is unfortunate.
A core committee meeting, chaired by state Congress president Bhupen Bora, observed that the AIUDF's "behaviour and attitude in relation with the BJP has baffled the members of the Congress", party spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma told reporters.
"The continuous and mysterious praise of the BJP and the chief minister by AIUDF leadership and senior members have affected the public perception of the Congress party," she said.
Sharma said that after a long discussion, the core committee members of the state Congress unanimously decided that AIUDF can no longer remain a partner in the 'Mahajot' and the AICC will be informed accordingly.
AIUDF legislature party leader Hafiz Bashir Ahmed in a statement said the Congress' unilateral decision to remove the party from the alliance was "unfortunate" as it is the need of the hour for secular and democratic parties to remain united and "intensify efforts to keep the communal BJP in check".
"The Alliance should not be weakened due to the personal views of a few persons. The AIUDF has always opposed the BJP's communal policies and will continue to do so in the future. The Congress should not create a divide in the alliance but consider ways to strengthen it," Ahmed added.
A discussion was also held on the alliance with the BPF as its leadership has been expressing their unwillingness to remain a part of the Grand Alliance on various platforms, she said.
The state Congress president was given full authority to make a decision on the matter and it was decided to inform the high-command the decision to break ties with the party, Sharma said.
The meeting also endorsed the earlier decision of giving full authority to the state president, working presidents and chairman of the legislative assembly committees constituted for the forthcoming by-polls to decide on election strategy and candidate selections, she said.
The 10-party 'Grand Alliance' or 'Mahajot', led by the Congress, was formed ahead of this year's assembly elections in the state.
Besides the Congress, AIUDF and BPF, it comprised the Jimochayan (Deori) People's Party (JDPP), Adivasi National Party (ANP), CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), Anchalik Gana Morcha, and the RJD.
The alliance had won 50 seats in the assembly polls with Congress securing 29 seats, AIUDF 16, BPF four and the CPI(M) one.
The Congress' Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi had hinted on Friday that it was time for the party to be "independent of the Grand Alliance" as it is the only party that can "take on the BJP".
He had admitted that there was a need to strengthen the organisation of the party across the state, including in those constituencies where there are MLAs of the Alliance, the Kaliabor MP said.
Inside the Assam assembly, the party may still consult other opposition parties if and when the BJP government brings anti-people policies, he added.
The Congress Core committee meeting also adopted a resolution expressing deep concern over the unprecedented deteriorating relation with Mizoram and Meghalaya over the border dispute and condemned the alleged failure of both central and state governments in maintaining cordial relations between neighbouring states.
The Centre has also "not given due importance" to Assam's flood and erosion problem and the core committee resolved that the party will launch a strong protest on the issue.
The killing of truck drivers in Dima Hasao by insurgents and the daylight murder of Nandita Saikia, a college student of Dhemaji, with a machete proves that the government has failed to control the law and order situation in the state, Sharma claimed.
"AIUDF leadership's mysterious praise of BJP & CM has affected the public perception of @INCAssam. The Core Committee members of APCC unanimously decided that AIUDF can no longer remain an alliance partner of Mahajot & in this regard will send intimation to AICC.” -@BhupenKBorah
— Assam Congress (@INCAssam) August 30, 2021
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Karnataka: SP’s gunman among two arrested for extorting money from rice smuggler
Ballari (Karnataka) (PTI): An armed police constable serving as the district superintendent of police’s personal gunman, along with his accomplice, was arrested for allegedly extorting money from a rice smuggler, police said on Friday.
Devaraj, who had been serving as the SP’s gunman for the past four and a half years, was identified as the mastermind behind the incident.
Following an investigation, Devaraj and his accomplice Sairam were arrested on May 6, while efforts are underway to nab a third accused, Gadilinga, a practising advocate in Ballari, who is absconding, police said.
The matter came to light after a complaint was filed by Sharabappa, a habitual offender allegedly involved in illegal rice transport, they added.
According to police, the incident occurred on the intervening night of April 27 and 28, when a group of masked men intercepted Sharabappa’s rice-laden vehicles near the Moka forest area.
The accused allegedly introduced themselves as members of an “SP squad”, threatened to seize the vehicles and file criminal cases, and demanded money to avoid legal action.
Police said the accused initially demanded Rs 5 lakh and later extorted around Rs 3 lakh from the complainant.
Investigation revealed that Devaraj was the main person involved in demanding and collecting the money, while Sairam and Gadilinga were also involved in the offence. Sairam was allegedly involved in similar activities earlier as well.
Devaraj and Sairam were arrested under Sections 308(2) (extortion) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police also seized the extorted cash, the four-wheeler, and mobile phones allegedly used in the crime. Efforts are underway to trace Gadilinga.
Addressing a press conference, Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman D Pennekar described the incident as a serious offence that has tarnished the image of the police department.
"There is no official ‘SP squad’ or ‘DSP squad’ operating in the district. Such labels are often misused by impostors or corrupt individuals to commit extortion," the SP clarified.
She said no involvement of other police officers has been found so far.
Departmental proceedings have been initiated against Devaraj, and suspension proceedings are underway. The SP added that strict action will be taken against anyone involved in such offences.
Police said Sharabappa, the complainant, is a known habitual offender involved in illegal rice smuggling, and several cases have already been registered against him in the Moka and Peddihalli areas. A separate case has also been registered against him in connection with rice smuggling on the night of the incident.
Authorities are also exploring the possibility of initiating externment proceedings against him under applicable legal provisions.
The SP urged the public to report any extortion attempts by persons claiming to be part of an “SP squad”, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
