One time 'face' of BJP in Assam and in North East India and a man 'close' to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kabindra Purkayastha expires.
He was 95.
Purkayastha's politics was defined by staunch commitment to BJP ideologies. A Bengali, he hailed from Silchar region in Assam and the politics for leaders of his era was defined by conviction, simplicity and courage. He was truly one of the founding architects of the Lotus party in north east. But by the time 'good days (or Achhey din) came for the BJP - he was almost marginalised.
He perhaps expired with the regret that he could not become Governor. Once he said - "Our Assam Bengali quota was taken away by a Bengal BJP leader. I cannot complain". This he ha said more as a joke.
In 2014 polls - which was so vital for the saffron outfit; Purkayastha's name did not figure in first list of BJP candidates from Assam. S S Ahluwalia was BJP-in charge for Assam then and Sarbananda Sonowal was the state unit president.
As his name did not figure -- Purkayastha again sounded caustic and reportedly told a few 'family well wishers' - "I am BJP founding member in Assam; but whether I should get ticket or not has been decided by one ex-Congressman (Ahluwalia) and an ex-AGP leader (Sonowal)".
But later at the intervention of Arun Jaitley and the then BJP president Rajnath Singh - he was given ticket.
But he lost the poll to Congress candidate Sushmita Dev.
In 2014 polls; Sushmita Dev polled 336,451 votes *42.07 per cent .....
as against 3,01,210 byKabindra Purkayastha. The AIUDF nominee Kutub Ahmed Mazumder had polled 85,530 votes.
Late Purkayastha is survived by his son, Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha, a daughter and grandchildren.
The news of Purkayastha’s passing triggered an outpouring of grief across the state and beyond.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described him as a stalwart and an institution in himself, crediting him with laying the foundation of the BJP in the region.
His death has left a void that could never be filled.
Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Assam around Jan 29.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Shah and both the leaders as well as Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) chief Hagrama Mohilary discussed about seat sharing.
Another Bodo-party leader UPPL chief Pramod Boro also had discussions with Himanta.
"I also spoke at length with AGP president Atul Bora," the Chief Minister said.
“Based on the talks held so far, seat-sharing should not be a problem for the NDA,” he claimed.
The AGP has, however, stated that it intends to field candidates in at least one constituency in every district of the state.
AGP MLA Ponakan Baruah has also raised concerns over what he described as the "marginalisation" of AGP leaders and workers in constituencies currently represented by BJP MLAs.
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| Gaurav Gogoi |
There is probably a serious problem in the opposition alliance led by Congress. Former CM Tarun Gogoi's son Gaurav Gogoi is the face of the grand old party in Assam and he had some initial advantages.
However; with less than 100 days left before the likely March-April elections; no formal seat sharing agreement has been finalised between Congress and one-time allies like AIUDF.
It could be tactical also as Assam apprehends that in a polarised atmosphere -- to be seen close to pro-Muslim AIUDF would be electoral disaster for it.
ends
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