All we need is a Nitish in Assam

A roadside dhaba at Makum, in Tinsukia district, was abuzz with a group of three voters discussing the state's political future. One among the three was a Chinese, but with Indian voting rights.

"What would it be like after the election? I think we need someone like Nitish Kumar as chief minister," the young Chinese stated in chaste Assamese, with an accent peculiar to upper Assam.

His son-of-the-soil Assamese friend nodded in agreement. "True. Where has all the money from the Centre gone? We don't see any development here. But Nitish, I read in the papers, has changed the face of Bihar."

Thereafter they turned their attention to power minister Pradyut Bordoloi. They wondered what would be the fate of this man from Margherita. "Pradyut, I think will have a tough time. Kamakhya (BJP candidate for the seat) will sure tower over all."

The Chinese friend then murmured something to his friends which sounded like the "HBS factor".

His other two friends agreed with him. "HBS is a true player. He can turn things around," one said from the group.

It was obvious they were alluding to the very influential health minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, "HBS" for short.

Sipping tea from glasses, the three huddled together as if sharing a secret and then broke into a laughter. The Chinese said, "I pity the AGP, which was once the party of the people. Now they are in absolute mess. But I want them back."

This time his friend did not agree. "They are good for nothing. When you break the trust, not once but twice, you might as well stop approaching the people for votes."

The Chinese tried to cool him with friendly pats. "Boss, I think people might just be looking at some kind of an alternative. Only if we were all educated."