Guwahati, Feb 24: Pabitra Margherita on Tuesday dismissed the Opposition alliance’s show of unity as “old political theatre”, alleging that it was driven by minority appeasement and lacked a concrete agenda.
Responding to questions on the Opposition’s efforts to consolidate forces ahead of upcoming political contests, he said there was “nothing new” about the alliance. He remarked that if there had been anything new, the BJP would have had an opportunity to observe what the Opposition had actually done. In a pointed dig, he claimed their unity had been witnessed for years at Hotel Leela, suggesting that closed-door meetings had replaced grassroots engagement.
The Minister further alleged that the so-called grand alliance was centred on minority appeasement politics and failed to present a credible developmental roadmap. He said the electorate had repeatedly rejected such formations as they did not offer a clear vision for governance and growth.
Earlier in the day, Margherita inaugurated a newly constructed rest house, “Bishranti”, at Jawaharlal Nehru College in Boko. Built at an estimated cost of around Rs 15 lakh from his MPLADS funds, the facility is expected to benefit students and visiting faculty members. He stated that the initiative aimed to strengthen educational infrastructure and address logistical challenges faced by students in the region.
Reflecting on his long association with Boko, he recalled first visiting the area nearly three decades ago with Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg. He said Garg had introduced him to the region, after which he attended numerous programmes and maintained close ties with the local community. The Minister clarified that the financial assistance from his MP fund was extended out of goodwill and had no political linkage, adding that it was meant solely to support the academic and social ecosystem of the area.
