First-time voters want CM like Manik Sarkar, Kejriwal for Assam

Tezpur (Assam): The students here are yearning for a change and want a Chief Minister like Manik Sarkar of next door neighbour Tripura and Arvind Kejriwal of faraway Delhi, who will work for overall development of the state and welfare of all religions in Assam.

“One thing is sure that we need a change. But we need a change for the better. While BJP is saying they are the change, we are worried over some recent incidents”, Tezpur University student Uddipana Goswami said at the campus. She said students are worried about the entry of RSS in Assam and the communal divide among people along with imposition of nationalism over regionalism. Just giving an example.

“Earlier, we students were not bothered about who is eating what. But now university students talk - he is eating beef, she is eating pork etc. It's dangerous”, Uddipana said.

Her classmate Sukanya Majumdar said BJP is campaigning against Tarun Gogoi government's corruption but inducted and given importance to once very powerful Congress Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Also BJP advertisements are targeted against Tarun Gogoi only. They are not saying what are their plans, she added. In a different take, Darrang College's Himanka Phukan said it will be a risk if BJP comes to power. “But we are ready to take that risk because we want a change. It's a gamble. If BJP does not perform, then we will change them also next time”, he said.

Phukan said education sector in the state has not improved compared to other parts of the country during the last 15 years. His classmate Mayuri Bora said it is not true that there was no development in Assam during three terms of Congress government but people want more as time progresses. “We are also interested in Rahul Gandhi and what he says. Everyone is talking about development, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But only words will not work. They have to convince us how will they bring development”, she added.

Along with the above duo, some other students of Darrang College Bhaswati Saharia, Amrit Barua, Sumit Kumar Bora, Chandan Das, Pradip Biswakarma, Martin Milton and Uttam Sonar also want a change but are worried about communally divisive politics of BJP.

Tezpur College's students Bonita Rabha, Manas Bora and Priyanku Kalita too favour a change for more development but said they do not trust any party as all forget their promises after polls. “You see what our Prime Minister has done. In the last two years, he has not worked for development of Assam. He is treating Assam badly only because there is a Congress government in the state. It is very bad politics”, Bonita alleged.
When the students were asked how Assam's new Chief Minister should be like, they gave first preference to someone like Manik Sarkar and Arvind Kejriwal was the second choice.

“These two CMs have done very well amidst many odds. We really appreciate Manik Sarkar who has transformed Tripura. Now we get Tripura in news only for good reasons. He has worked for all-round development and at the same time there is absolute peace and communal harmony”, Manas said.

Although the young voters are indecisive about their choices, they all excited about the assembly elections and said they will certainly exercise their democratic right.
An estimated over 6.75 lakh youths are expected to cast their votes for the first time in Assam in the forthcoming Assembly elections to be held in two phases on April 4 and 11.

The polling for Tezpur constituency will take place on Monday.

Source: PTI