New equation! Ex-MLA Dilip Paul donates ₹1 lakh to CM Relief Fund

July 21: It is probably rightly said that there is no permanent friend and foe in politics. There are numerous such instances in Indian politics which can justify this claim. Two-time BJP MLA of Silchar constituency and also the former Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Dilip Kumar Paul took all by surprise on Thursday when he went to meet Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati. Dilip Paul handed over a cheque of  ₹1 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Later on during the day, the Chief Minister tweeted the photograph and wrote, “Appreciate the contribution of ₹1 lakh to CM Relief Fund by ex-MLA of Silchar, Shri Dilip Kumar Paul. The donation will surely strengthen our ongoing flood relief measures in the State.” The smile on the faces of the Chief Minister and ex-MLA Dilip Kumar Paul speaks volume of a new equation growing between them after a temporal lull.

During the recent devastating flood in Silchar, Dilip Paul was seen to distribute water among the flood victims in certain areas of Silchar. On one such occasion, Dilip Paul accidentally happen to meet CM Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma who was on a visit of the flood affected areas in Silchar. The Chief Minister learning that Mr Paul was also around called him and exchanged pleasantries. The moment was clicked by many present there. In a viral photograph, The Chief Minister was seen to stand in close proximity to Dilip Paul, while Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy and Silchar MLA Dipayan Chakraborty were looking at them. MLA Lakhipur Kaushik Rai could also be seen in that frame. Since then, speculations were ripe that Dilip Paul will be brought back to the folds of the BJP soon.

Appreciate the contribution of ₹1 lakh to CM Relief Fund by ex-MLA of Silchar, Shri Dilip Kumar Paul.

The donation will surely strengthen our ongoing flood relief measures in the State. pic.twitter.com/eNfH6YcxN6

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 21, 2022

The handing over of cheque to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund by Dilip Paul on Thursday made the speculations more strong of BJP opening its door for Dilip Paul !

However, on 16 July, 2022, Dilip Kumar Paul lodged FIR against 9 BJP workers at Silchar Sadar Police Station on Saturday. In the FIR, Dilip Paul alleged that on the issue of breach of Bethukandi dyke, which led to the devastating flood in Silchar, fingers were pointed towards him in social media, which has tarnished his image among the masses. The 9 persons against whom Dilip Kumar filed FIR are: Jayanta Chakraborty, Krishanu Das, PK Ghosh, Rupam Dey, Ashok Purkayastha, Vishal Basak, Samrat Choudury, Sumona Das and Santanu Roy.

It needs mention here that Dilip Paul had a long time association of BJP. His political career started with becoming Municipal Commissioner, from where he gradually got the party ticket and became MLA of Silchar twice from the BJP. He was also made the Deputy Speaker during the Chief Ministership of Sarbananda Sonowal. He, however, resigned from the post of Deputy Speaker after a couple of months. However, during the Assembly Election of 2021, BJP did not give ticket to Dilip Paul. Instead, the party preferred a new face, Dipayan Chakraborty. At this stage, Dilip Paul decided to contest the election as an independent candidate, which led to his expulsion from the party.