Akhil Gogoi Slams BJP Over ‘Hollow Promises’ on Deportation, Cites Assembly Data; Questions Amit Shah’s 2026 Pitch

Sibsagar MLA and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi on Tuesday mounted a sharp attack on the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Assam, questioning Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim that illegal migrants would be deported “one by one” if the saffron party is voted back to power in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

Backing his criticism with official Assam Legislative Assembly data, Gogoi alleged a wide gap between political rhetoric and actual deportations over the past decade.

What the Assembly Data Shows

Based on official replies to Assembly questions, the data on identification and deportation of foreigners in Assam across regimes is as follows:

Congress Regime (2001–2015)

• Foreigners identified (by Foreigners’ Tribunals): 37,311

• Foreigners deported: 2,719

BJP’s First Term (2016–2020)

BJP’s Second Term (2021–2025, up to Oct)

Overall During 10 Years of BJP Rule

• Foreigners identified: 104,748

• Foreigners deported: 1,676

Sources:

1. Unstarred Question No. 50, replied on 11/09/2023, Assam Legislative Assembly (Question by Akhil Gogoi, MLA)

2. Starred Question No. 38, replied on 26/11/2025, Assam Legislative Assembly (Question by Abdur Rahim Ahmed, MLA)

‘Ten Years in Assam, Twelve at the Centre—Still Asking for Time’

Addressing the media, Gogoi recalled the BJP’s 2016 election promises on identifying and deporting illegal foreigners, made when the party first formed the Assam government under then Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. He also cited assurances of a flood-free and corruption-free Assam.

“So far, 10 years are about to be completed by the BJP in Assam and already 12 years are running at the Centre. And now Amit Shah comes and urges for another term to deport illegal foreigners one by one,” Gogoi said. Taking a swipe at the government, he added sarcastically, “The current Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier claimed there are 40 lakh illegal foreigners in the state. In that case, till the Assamese community survives on earth, we will have to hand over the state to them forever.”

Gogoi alleged that Shah merely revived old speeches, adding that certain remarks could create a heated situation in the state and were “full of lies and claims.”

CAA, ‘Betrayal After Elections’ Charge

Referring to the BJP’s campaign narrative in 2016—calling it the “last battle of Saraighat”—Gogoi accused the government of doing the opposite after coming to power. “In recent times, it was observed that the government did whatsoever to finish this community by imposing the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, through which they wanted to give citizenship to Hindus who had been religiously persecuted in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan,” he said.

In a scathing remark, Gogoi stated:
“Before elections, this BJP government acts like a true patriot; after elections, they act like a traitor. Before elections, they are democratic; after elections, they are autocratic. Before elections, they talk about deporting illegal foreigners; after elections, they talk about settling them.”

Urging voters to look beyond faces, he added, “People of Assam must learn and should not vote for the BJP based on leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah, who hail from Gujarat. Their main intention is to sell Assam to industrialists like Adani and Ambani.”

Will opposition unity crack even before the 2026 Assembly elections?

Separately, the Sibsagar legislator openly expressed his displeasure over remarks made by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) chief Gaurav Gogoi, indicating possible strains within the opposition camp ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.

Akhil Gogoi’s dissatisfaction surfaced soon after the announcement to contest elections in 100 Assembly seats.

Speaking to the media, Akhil Gogoi said, “I did not like what Gaurav Gogoi said. I am stating this openly.”

Taking a dig at the Congress leadership, he remarked that senior Congress leader Ripun Bora appeared to be more vocal and active than Gaurav Gogoi.

Criticising the manner in which alliance discussions are being conducted, Gogoi said that seat-sharing and alliance talks should have taken place away from cameras and not in the public domain.

Questioning Gaurav Gogoi’s political position, Akhil Gogoi alleged that he has moved away from his principles and ideology.

At the same time, Akhil Gogoi asserted that the opposition would adopt a democratic approach, stating, “We will sit together democratically and decide the number of seats.”

Calling for unity and discipline among opposition parties, he urged that all constituents of the opposition alliance must adhere to the principles of partnership and alliance politics.

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