Protest in different areas of Assam following expansion of council of ministers

The first council of minister expansion of BJP-led government in Assam has sparked bitter protest in different areas.

On Thursday, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal inducted seven ministers which caused heartburn among a section of legislators.

Some MLAs have openly expressed displeasure over the manner in which seniority was overlooked in the expansion.


Nine organisations including Jatiya Aikya Mancha, All Tiwa Students’ Union, Koch-Rajbongshi Students’ Union and Chutiya Jati Sanmilan enforced a 12-hour shutdown on Friday to protest the non-inclusion of MLA Ramakanta Deuri.

Deuri is BJP MLA from the Morigaon Assembly seat. These organisations claimed that BJP in the run up to assembly polls in 2016 had promised ministerial berth.

Lone Muslim MLA Aminul Haque Lashar said though Muslims constitute 30 percent of state's population there is no minister from the community.

Three times BJP MLA from Dibrugarh constituency Prasanta Phukan resigned from two important posts after his name did not figure in the expansion.

His supporters carried out candle light march on Friday. He said, " Old timers are overlooked. I do not deserve to be a minister."

Moran and Muttock communities, which has sizeable number in Upper Assam are unhappy as in 18 member Sarbananda ministry there is no one from their community.

Ally Bodoland People's Front is unhappy for it got one ministerial berth in expansion while it wanted two.