1.3 lakh Garos of Assam to vote for Congress in 3rd phase of LS polls: say Garo bodies

Guwahati: More than 1.3 lakh Garos living in Kamrup Metro, Kamrup, Goalpara, Dhubri, Chirang and Kokrajhar districts of Assam will vote for the Congress party in the third phase of Lok Sabha elections in Assam.

This was revealed by the leaders of several Garo Organisations- Garo National Council (GNC), Garo Women Council (GWC), Garo Youth Council (GYC), Garo Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) at a press conference at Santipur village in Boko-Chaygaon Assembly Constituency of Guwahati Lok Sabha seat on Friday.

The third phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections will be conducted in Guwahati, Dhubri, Barpeta and Kokraajhar constituencies on May 7.

GNC advisor Franklin Sangma, president Enindra Marak, GYC president Manseng Marak, GWC president Laprosti Sangma, convenor of GACDC Piyush Marak and leaders from various Garo organizations were present at the press conference. 

Expressing concern over the issues faced by the Garo community in Assam, GNC advisor Franklin Sangma said that the decision was taken at a meeting of Garo organisations including Garo National Council (GNC), Garo Youth Council (GYC), Garo Women Council (GWC), Garo Autonomous Council Demand Committee (GACDC) held on April 23 at Santipur Community Hall under Boko-Chagaon LAC. 

“After threadbare discussions on various burning issues the meeting unanimously resolved that the Garo community and all its representative organisations will extend full support to the Indian National Congress (INC) and INDIA Alliance in the third phase of the Lok Sabha election,” he said.

“The Garo community has been an integral part of Assam for generations, with a population exceeding 8.5 lakhs across the state. The Garos are the second largest tribal community in the state. While a significant portion of our populations reside in the Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys, a considerable number, approximately 4.5 lakh, are concentrated in 545 border villages in Kamrup and Goalpara Districts," Sangma also said.

“Despite our substantial presence, the Garo community continues to struggle for rightful recognition and representation in various spheres of life, including socio-political and economic domains. Our longstanding demand for an Autonomous Council to preserve our identity, culture, language, land rights, and customary laws remains unaddressed even after 75 years of independence," Franklin Sangma added. 

GNC president Enindra Marak said: "The delimitation exercise to limit the boundary of assembly and parliamentary constituencies and border realignment with Meghalaya post additional challenges and opportunities for our community. In light of these developments, we are actively reorganising and strategizing ourselves to forge alliances with other tribal groups and communities to assert our legitimate aspirations."

Marak said, "Further, the recent declaration of Boko-Chaygaon and West Goalpara Assembly Constituencies as Scheduled Tribe (ST) reserved constituencies, has opened opportunities for the Garo community to elect our representatives both in the Assam Assembly and Panchayats.”

“As long-standing supporters of the Indian National Congress, we urge the party and its leadership to recognize and advocate for our cause, thereby ensuring our representation and participation in decision-making processes from which we have been deprived," he said.

Franklin Sangma lamented that the BJP’s disrespect for the Constitution of India and the Election Commission is evident in their acts. “BJP workers were distributing forms to village women to garner their support for the election violating the Model Code of Conduct,” he also said.

When asked why Garo people don’t support the BJP, the Garo leaders said equal respect for all religions is the ideology of the Congress party. The BJP is always against the Christians. So we will not accept the BJP under any circumstances.”

"Our Garo organisations have a long pending demand for Garo Autonomous Council and we discussed the issue with Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. But he didn't respond to our demands as he listened and responded to other communities' demands." Franklin Sangma further said.

“In conclusion, we appeal to the Indian National Congress to address the grievances and aspirations of the Garo community by fulfilling our demand for an Autonomous Council and ensuring our equitable representation in governance structures. We remain committed to working in unison for the socio-economic development and preservation of our culture and heritage of our community and the state at large," Franklin Sangma added.