Karbi Anglong braces for polls as Rahul Gandhi and BJP leaders lock horns

Hills Live News Desk

Sushanta Roy

Diphu April 2: In a day of intense political activity across Karbi Anglong district, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi addressed a massive public meeting at Sharihajan under the Bokajan Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC), promising to implement Article 244(A) of the Constitution if his party is voted to power.

Gandhi’s rally drew large crowds and was described by party workers as a “high-voltage” event, where he reiterated the long-standing demand for greater autonomy for the tribal-dominated hill districts of Assam.

“Article 244(A) is not just a promise, it is a commitment to the people of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao district,” sources close to the Congress campaign quoted him as saying.

On the other side, the ruling BJP mounted a strong counter-campaign. Assam Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika addressed three separate public meetings in the Diphu and Howraghat LACs, highlighting the developmental works carried out by the BJP-led government in the autonomous council areas.

Meanwhile, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang held a series of meetings across the district, urging voters to support BJP candidates contesting from Diphu and Howraghat LACs.

Ronghang, a senior tribal leader and star campaigner, is seen as a key influencer in the hills and is actively campaigning to consolidate support for the saffron party.

Political observers note that the day’s flurry of activities signals the start of an aggressive campaign phase in Karbi Anglong, where issues of tribal autonomy, development, and good governance are expected to dominate the narrative in the coming weeks.

Both sides are now gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle in the strategically important autonomous districts.