BTC Polls: BJP leader Pijush Hazarika shown black flags by AASU in Baksa

TAMULPUR: Pijush Hazarika, the Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Department, Assam, on Wednesday was greeted by hordes of All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chhatra Parishad (AJYCP) protesters in Tamulpur under Baksa, Assam, where he had gone to campaign for his party (BJP) ahead of the Council elections to be held in two phases on December 7 and 10. The counting of votes for the BTC polls shall be held on December 12.

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Hazarika, who had gone to Tamulpur's Gandhibari locality to campaign for BJP candidate Hementa Kumar Rabha, who is contesting from the no. 28 Goybari Constituency, was confronted by protesters who staged a demonstration against the ruling BJP Government and its various policies such as the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The protesters also blamed the ruling party for the astronomical rise in the prices of essential commodities.

Holding up black flags and banners, the protesters raised slogans such as "BJP go back", "We won't accept the 'CAA', etc. Interestingly, the protestors made their presence felt by clanging traditional cymbals, one of the instruments used in Assamese cultural and religious events. Some of the protesters also wore garlands made of onions and potatoes -- signifying price-rise.

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Despite the loud protests, Minister Pijush appeared unfazed. "I have never been a member of AASU, nor have I ever been afraid of them. They are members of the Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP). Their members are the same. The fact that they are opposed to the BJP means that they are supporting either the UPPL or the BPF. I challenge the AJP to defeat me," Hazarika said, condemning the black flag protesters.

Hazarika, addressing supporters of the BJP party today, urged them to cast their votes for the saffron party and promised that "development" shall be ushered in once the saffron party assumes power in Kokrajhar. The BTC polls are expected to be a three way contest between the BJP, UPPL, and the BPF parties,

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