Saikia Accuses BJP of Delaying ST Status for Six Assam Communities

Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia on Friday accused the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Assam of deliberately delaying Scheduled Tribe status for six communities for political reasons. He termed the Chief Minister’s remarks misleading, claimed required studies were completed long ago, and said the issue was prolonged despite earlier Congress initiatives and parliamentary recommendations. Saikia also alleged violations of Sixth Schedule provisions in Karbi Anglong and criticised selective eviction drives and land allotments to corporate houses.