IT News
Imphal, Sept 23:
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has categorically stated that it would remain a non-political organisation despite the formation of a political party – Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP).
AASU General Secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi reiterated that the students’ union “was, is and would remain a non-political entity”. “The students’ union is in the hearts of the people and the people of Assam should repose faith in the organisation,” Gogoi said.
Speculations are rife that the influential student’s organisation might be an active player in the 2021 Assembly elections given that it has floated the regional political party as an alternative force to take on the ruling party and opposition in the polls, which is less than seven months away.
Gogoi apart, other leaders of the AASU have earlier claimed that despite the formation of the political party, the students’ union will maintain its non-political stance and in no way dilute its core character of a vigilant social group.
Till date, two leaders of the frontline students’ organisation, Raju Phukon, and Chittaranjan Basumatary, however, have opted for active politics as office-bearers of AJP.
Phukon will oversee work in Golaghat, Sivasagar, and Jorhat, whereas Chittaranjan Basumatary will bear the responsibility for Jonai, Dhemaji, and Dibrugarh.
Asked whether he would contest next year’s Assembly elections, the AASU leader said they have given him the responsibility to take the students’ union forward.
“The political convention (of AJP to be held under the aegis of the students’ union in November) will decide the final state committee and what role members will play,” Gogoi said.
When asked about the fate of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) movement, the AASU general secretary affirmatively said that the agitation would continue across the state in phases and that the pandemic had put the brakes on to an extent. “We will resume the agitation,” he said
