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Guwahati, Feb 1: The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has launched a fierce critique against the BJP leadership, accusing the party of consistently misleading the residents of Assam regarding flood management and the deportation of illegal immigrants since 2014.

During a press conference held on Saturday, AJP general secretary Jagadish Bhuyan expressed his discontent with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, claiming that despite numerous promises made during election campaigns, no substantial actions have been taken.

Bhuyan noted that he had anticipated new announcements from Amit Shah during his recent two-day visit to Assam, but instead, Shah merely reiterated the same commitments made in previous elections held in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021, and now 2024.

He criticized Shah's speech for being filled with political rhetoric, primarily addressing floods and erosion, as well as the issue of illegal foreigners, without providing any viable solutions.

Regarding Shah's suggestion to divert Brahmaputra waters to large reservoirs as a solution to flooding, Bhuyan dismissed the idea as unrealistic and lacking scientific basis.

He urged the government to disclose any scientific plans they might have regarding this issue.

On the topic of illegal immigration, Bhuyan questioned the BJP's effectiveness, despite their repeated electoral appeals to resolve the matter. He referenced data from the Assam Legislative Assembly, indicating that only a small fraction of Bangladeshi nationals have been deported during the BJP's administration.

Official statistics reveal that while over 32,000 illegal immigrants were identified during the current government's tenure, merely 1,416 were deported.

According to the Governor's Republic Day address, out of 1.7 lakh declared illegal citizens, only 467 have been repatriated thus far.

Bhuyan alleged that rather than focusing on deportation, the BJP-led governments at both the Centre and State have facilitated pathways for granting citizenship to illegal Bangladeshi immigrants under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

He further criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of making provocative and unconstitutional remarks targeting specific communities as elections draw near.

“Has the Assam Police initiated any suo motu cases against the Chief Minister as per the Supreme Court's directives for strict action against hate speech?” he questioned, warning that inaction could lead to contempt of court.

Additionally, the AJP leader raised several inquiries concerning the status of the NRC update, the removal of names from voter lists, deportation agreements with Bangladesh, the implementation of the Assam Accord, constitutional protections for indigenous Assamese people, and the long-standing demand for tribal status for six communities.

- Staff Reporter