Hiteswar Saikia

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Hiteswar Saikia was the chief minister of Assam for two terms, first from February 27, 1983 to December 23, 1985 and then from June 30, 1991 to April 22, 1996. He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress. During his first tenure as the chief minister, the famous Anti Foreigners Movement took place under the joint leadership of Sri Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and the late Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, the President and the General Secretary respectively of the All Assam Students Union. Saikia was a stern nationalist and an opponent of militancy in any situation. He is often criticised for crashing the militancy mercilessly in Assam. Saikia was an able administrator. He is credited for improving the education scenario of the state by provincialising a number of educational institutions. Saikia died while in office.

He allegedly orchestrated a number of "surrenders" of ULFA operatives.[1]

Personal life

Hiteswar Saikia was married to Hemaprabha Saikia.

Controversy regarding Dr Manmohan Singh's residence in Saikia House

Hiteswar was a close friend and associate of Dr Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India.[2] In fact, Dr Man Mohan Singh became a Rajya Sabha MP from Assam quota by claiming that he was a resident of Assam by producing a house rent receipt from Saikia's wife. According to an affidavit submitted by Dr Man Mohan Singh, the prime minister stays in Saikia's rented house at Sarumotoria by paying a monthly rent of Rupees 700.[3] Manmohan Singh could become a Rajya Sabha member, and thereby a prime minister, chiefly by falsely claiming that he was a resident of Hiteswar Saikia's house in Guwahati.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Surrenders seen as body blow to ULFA Indian Express - August 15, 1998
  2. ↑ "Prime Minister's Praise of Saikia". 
  3. ↑ "Manmohan Singh has no cash". 
  4. ↑ "Manmhan's Blatant Lie about Saikia's House". 
(Union Territory 1972-1986)
  • S.P.Mukherjee
  • S.K.Chibber
  • N.P.Mathur
  • S.N.Kohli
  • H.S.Dubey
  • Hiteshwar Saikia
(State since 1986)

He was a great leader, husband, father and grandfather.


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