Assam: Sonowal or Himanta? Besides Covid-19, BJP faces another big challenge
Himanta Biswa Sarma has ‘delivered’ Assam for the second time when many suspected a huge anti-incumbency against Sarbananda Sonowal.
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UPDATED: May 8, 2021 08:23 IST
The absence of clarity about who will head the government may hamper the efforts to contain the Covid-19 spread in Assam. (L-Sarbananda Sonowal, R-Himanta Biswa Sarma)
Five assemblies went to the polls in March-April. All but one Assam know who their chief ministers are. In Assam, the BJP faces a dilemma: Should it ‘punish’ Sarbananda Sonowal or reward Himanta Biswa Sarma?
This dilemma is a political challenge for the BJP when Assam sees a sharp increase in Covid-19 cases. Infections in Assam rose dramatically after the end of the assembly polls.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday said that the state could contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic due to the collective teamwork of various stakeholders and meticulous planning. Participating in the Motion of Thanks on the Governor s address, Khandu said that though the year 2020-21 passed through a crucial phase due to the pandemic, the state government, however, carried out all important central projects including providing salaries to its employees, pensions and stipend to students. Despite the pandemic, the government was able to disburse salaries, pensions and stipends and released payment to the tune of Rs 1,900 crore for continuation of all pending central projects and schemes, Khandu said.