Not given time, BPF stages walkout from Assembly

Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) members today staged a walkout from the state Assembly accusing the Speaker of not giving them time and importance during discussion over the Governor's speech.
BPF's Pramila Rani Brahma raised objection in the House when Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi stood to reply on the debate after AIUDF and AGP members addressed the House.
"We are deprived of our right to speak. We are not given any time despite having more MLAs than AGP. This is a discrimination towards us," she added.
She then led her party colleagues out of the House shouting "This is why we want separate state Bodoland".

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rockybul Hussain, however, said BPF did not bring any motion to discuss the Governor's address.
"Anyone can take part in the discussion and the Chair allowed BPF member Kamal Shing Narzary to discuss the speech. But saying this that they were discriminated against is wrong as they did not give any notice," he added.

Deputy Speaker Bhimananda Tanti also said BPF did not give any notice.
"No one has discriminated against BPF and Bodoland. Everyone knows what I have done and how much I have contributed for the development of Bodoland Territorial Area Districts," Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.

Earlier, Narzary raised Irrigation Minister Chandan Sarkar's reported statement that BPF chief Hagrama Mohilary lives in jungle and demanded a privilege motion against the minister.
On this, Gogoi said, "No one is a jungli. All people are civilised."
He also denied BPF's allegation that Congress has done injustice to Bodoland Territorial Council and said the Bodo party was praising the state government when it was an ally.
"They have left us and went to BJP. It is their personal choice. We cannot stop anyone from loving someone," Gogoi said.
On the Governor's address, the Chief Minister said the state has progressed in every field during the last 15 years despite having many challenges.

"We have variety of schemes to cater to different sections of people of the state. This money is not coming from the Centre. This is our own money and this means our income has increased. Still a lot to be done and this income should increase further," he added.