GUWAHATI: The recently-launched Orunodoi Scheme of Assam government has started a verbal duel between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress. Assam Congress president Ripun Bora has criticised the scheme. Replying to the criticism Assam Finance Minister and Senior BJP leader Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the APCC president is making a mockery of the poor. “What kind of person criticizes a scheme like Orunodoi. It shows a deranged state of mentality. Why does Ripun Bora want the curse of 20 lakh families? Politics should be done to receive the blessings of the people and not otherwise. We criticised the dhoti, lungi and said that we will give free admissions and that was a part of alternative politics. On the other hand, Ripun Bora by criticising the Orunodoi Scheme is going to face the wrath of 20 lakh families or 1 crore people. How will they survive with 1 crore unhappy people?” questioned Dr. Himanata Biswa Sarma.
Ripun Bora defended his statement and said that it has been misinterpreted. The Assam Congress president argued that the amount of Rs. 830 is very less.
“The BJP Government has launched the Orunodoi Scheme for the women of Assam. The amount is Rs. 830. The finance minister has wrongly stated to the public that I am protesting against the scheme and I will be cursed. This is not true. We are not protesting against the scheme and have only said that the amount is very less in this age.”
Ripun Bora has countered the BJP with a promise that if Congress comes to power it will spend an amount of Rs. 1500 crore monthly for the women.
“If the BJP is giving Rs. 830, we will give Rs. 7500 per month to the women. So, why would anyone curse me? They will in fact like me for this and bless me. Himanta Biswa has said that 20 lakh will curse me, but in reality, they will bless me instead. Moreover the people of Assam will bless the Congress for this,” said Ripun Bora.
Replying to Bora, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that it is just the beginning and the final amount is not yet decided. “We are starting with Rs. 830 and Ripun Bora has no idea where it is going to end.”
