The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government, accusing it of using a crucial report on tribal status as a mere political tool to woo voters in the run-up to the assembly elections. The party has labeled the government's claims as baseless and unrealistic, setting the stage for a heated political debate in the state.
A Political Ploy, Not a Genuine Move
AJP President Lurinjyoti Gogoi minced no words in his criticism. He stated that the report by the Group of Ministers (GoM) is just a strategic maneuver by the ruling BJP to appease the electorate before the polls. While the state government has publicly asserted that this report paves the way for granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to certain communities, Gogoi firmly rejected this narrative.
"The government’s claim is baseless and unrealistic. Instead, it is merely a political gimmick," Gogoi asserted. He argued that the timing of the report's emphasis, coinciding with the election cycle, exposes the BJP's intent to use the long-pending issue for electoral gains rather than pursuing a sincere resolution.
The Six-Year Parliamentary Delay
Gogoi pointed to a significant contradiction to underline his argument. He highlighted that the core constitutional amendment bill required to grant this tribal status has been languishing in the Rajya Sabha for six years. This prolonged delay, according to the AJP chief, reveals the central government's lack of genuine commitment.
"The BJP-led NDA has a majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha now. Passing the bill should be a routine matter for them," he noted. Gogoi expressed bewilderment over why, despite this clear parliamentary majority, the BJP has not pushed the bill through in Parliament. Instead, the focus has shifted to getting it passed in the state assembly, a move he sees as restarting the entire process from scratch.
"This is a perplexing issue," Gogoi added, questioning the logic behind the circuitous approach when a straightforward parliamentary passage was possible given the government's numbers.
Implications and Electoral Backdrop
This sharp critique from the AJP places the spotlight squarely on the BJP's handling of the sensitive and politically significant issue of tribal status in Assam. The accusation reduces the government's announcement to a pre-election "political ploy" designed to create an impression of progress without substantive action. For the communities awaiting ST status, this political tug-of-war translates into further uncertainty and delay.
The AJP's statement is likely to resonate in the political arena, potentially shaping voter perception. It frames the ruling party as one that prioritizes short-term electoral benefits over delivering on long-standing promises. As Assam moves closer to its assembly elections, the debate over the GoM report and the pending constitutional amendment is expected to intensify, becoming a key point of contention between the ruling alliance and its opponents.
