Imphal | Silchar MLA Dr. Rajdeep Roy has said that he considers it both a responsibility and a privilege to carry forward the political and social legacy of his late father, veteran BJP leader Bimolangshu Roy, whose contributions played a crucial role in laying the foundation of the Bharatiya Janata Party not only in Barak Valley but today’s North East India.

In an interview in Imphal, Dr. Roy reflected on the BJP’s growth in the region, his father’s enduring influence on public life, his development priorities for Barak Valley, and the ongoing situation in Manipur.

Speaking about the rise of the BJP in the valley, Dr. Roy said the party’s roots in the region go back several decades and were nurtured by pioneers such as his father, late Bimolangshu Roy, and late Kabindra Purkayastha.

“The rise of the BJP here is largely because of the efforts and sacrifices made by leaders like my father and Kabindra Purkayastha. My father sowed the seeds of the BJP in this region, and I am trying my level best to carry forward that legacy,” he said.

Dr. Roy pointed out that Barak Valley has historically played a significant role in the BJP’s political journey in the Northeast. Recalling the party’s early electoral successes, he said that in the 1991 Assembly elections, nine BJP legislators were elected from Barak Valley, marking one of the first major breakthroughs for the party in the region.

He also highlighted his father’s long association with nationalist politics, stating that Bimolangshu Roy had contested elections on a Jana Sangh ticket in the late 1960s and was perhaps among the earliest elected representatives associated with the Jana Sangh in any tier of elections in the region.

“My father had a very long public career. Naturally, people look up to me and believe that I can carry forward the unfinished work he left behind. I am happy and humbled by that trust. I will try to do my level best to serve the people,” Dr. Roy said.

The former Member of Parliament from Silchar, who represented the constituency from 2019 to 2024, said he remains deeply committed to issues affecting the people of the Barak Valley and displaced communities who have sought refuge in India over the years.

“I have always spoken about the rights of persecuted people. Whenever any problem arises, people approach me with confidence. I have spoken extensively on the Citizenship Amendment Act and related issues. I am proud to be the son of Bimolangshu Roy, and I will continue to work to fulfil his dreams and aspirations,” he said.

Expressing optimism about the future, Dr. Roy said another decade or more in public life would provide him with the opportunity to complete many of the goals his father had envisioned for the region.

“I believe another 10 to 15 years in public life will help me fulfil many of my father’s dreams and aspirations and complete the unfinished work that he left behind,” he added.

Five Major Priorities for Barak Valley

Outlining his roadmap for the development of Barak Valley, Dr. Roy identified five major priorities that he believes will transform the region’s economic and social landscape.

The first and foremost priority, he said, is strengthening road connectivity within the valley as well as with neighbouring states and the rest of the country.

“Connectivity remains the key to development. We must improve road links not only within the Barak Valley but also outside it. Better connectivity will open up opportunities for trade, tourism and economic growth,” he said.

Railway expansion is another area he intends to focus on. According to Dr. Roy, additional railway lines and enhanced rail infrastructure are essential for meeting the growing transportation needs of the region.

“We need more railway tracks and improved railway connectivity in the Barak Valley and adjoining states. Better rail infrastructure will boost the movement of people and goods and help the region grow faster,” he said.

A major infrastructure project that he believes could significantly alter the development trajectory of the valley is the proposed greenfield airport.

Dr. Roy stated that land acquisition for the project has already been completed and expressed hope that the airport would become a reality in the coming years.

“The greenfield airport project will be a game-changer for Barak Valley. The land acquisition process has already been completed, and once implemented, it will become one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the region,” he said.

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