NAGAON, OCT 3:
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday highlighted various development schemes and programmes of the BJP-led government as he sought public support for ruling alliance candidate Devasish Sharma in the October 6 Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll.
Sarma emphasised measures aimed at women and youth empowerment and claimed that the BJP enjoyed support across sections of society.
He addressed three back-to-back campaign rallies in Jagiroad, Rupahihat and Morigaon assembly constituencies, which form part of the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat, and also interacted with people.
Sharing a video clip from one of the rallies on social media, in which a woman is seen kissing him on the left cheek, Sarma wrote: “Came for the rally, left with a story that will haunt me as memes.”
The woman, dressed in red, was part of a crowd standing behind a bamboo barricade as the chief minister moved around, holding hands, speaking to people and clicking selfies.
Sarma had similar experiences earlier too, including one during the Assembly election campaign earlier this year when a woman had nearly climbed over a barricade to kiss him, an incident that later went viral on social media.
Addressing the rallies, Sarma sought the support of women voters, highlighting schemes such as Orunodoi, under which eligible beneficiaries receive Rs 1,250 per month, and the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA), which provides financial support for entrepreneurial ventures.
He said the government would continue and expand the existing schemes and help women market their products through exclusive women’s markets across the state.
Women-led dairy cooperatives would also be encouraged, Sarma said, urging women to make maximum use of government schemes and support the BJP candidate in the bypoll.
The chief minister also urged young people to avail themselves of benefits under various government schemes, ranging from student stipends to financial assistance for setting up businesses.
He assured the gathering that the government’s poll promise of providing two lakh government jobs would be fulfilled and asked youths to prepare for recruitment drives.
Sarma said electing a candidate of the ruling alliance from Nagaon would enable the constituency to benefit from development initiatives and help it keep pace with other parts of Assam.
He criticised the Congress, alleging that the party had failed to work for the welfare of the people and that its leadership was more concerned about its own interests than public issues.
The chief minister expressed confidence that the BJP candidate would win the Nagaon seat by a large margin.
The by-election was necessitated after sitting MP Pradyut Bordoloi left the Congress to join the BJP ahead of the Assembly polls in April. Bordoloi is now an MLA.
The bypoll is scheduled for October 6, while counting of votes will take place on October 9. (Source: PTI)
