Assam: Opposition Unity Certain for Assembly Polls, Says Gaurav Gogoi

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi on Friday asserted that an alliance among opposition parties for the upcoming Assembly elections is “absolutely certain,” declaring that public sentiment strongly favours a united challenge to the ruling BJP.

The APCC chief was speaking after participating in the Congress outreach initiative ‘Raijor Podulit Raijor Congress’ in Golaghat, where he held extensive interactions with representatives of civil society groups and prominent local figures. AICC secretary and APCC co-in-charge Bikash Upadhyay and APCC working president Roselina Tirkey were also present at the programme.

Addressing the media at the end of the event, Gogoi said that widespread discontent with the present government was evident in his conversations with the public. “There is a growing feeling that Assam needs a new direction, an Assam where people can live together with dignity and mutual respect,” he said.

He accused the BJP government of reducing citizens to mere recipients of government schemes. “The people of Assam are self-respecting. They do not want to remain beneficiaries forever; they want to be partners in development,” Gogoi added. While stressing that welfare support for the poor must continue, he said the larger aspiration of the people is to become economically independent through hard work and opportunity.

According to him, the present administration has failed to create conditions for self-reliance. Alleging widespread misuse of public resources, Gogoi claimed that the government’s priorities lay in promoting what he described as “coal and sand syndicates” and in acquiring land belonging to the poor. He further alleged that families of BJP ministers and legislators were among the principal beneficiaries of the Basundhara land scheme, while many deserving families remained excluded.

“Alliance is the people’s demand”

Responding to questions on seat-sharing and coordination among opposition parties, Gogoi said the alliance would be finalised through a structured and transparent process. “First, the number of seats each party will contest will be decided. After that, the constituencies will be allocated,” he explained.

He emphasised that opposition parties were conscious of public expectations. “People are closely watching whether we take steps forward or retreat. They want unity. Ultimately, we must respect the mandate of the people. That is why I can say with confidence that the opposition alliance is 100 per cent certain,” he stated.

Election Commission under fire

Gogoi also commented on the controversy surrounding an alleged video conference involving BJP state president Dilip Saikia, in which remarks were reportedly made about removing voters from electoral rolls based on political preference. He said the Election Commission should have initiated a suo motu inquiry into the matter.

“If even after formal complaints the Election Commission remains silent, it raises serious questions about its neutrality,” Gogoi said. He described the reported statement as “extremely dangerous” for India’s democratic framework, warning that any attempt to interfere with voter lists on partisan grounds strikes at the core of free and fair elections.

The Congress leader said such developments had further strengthened the demand for political change in the state, adding that public engagement programmes like ‘Raijor Podulit Raijor Congress’ were intended to reconnect with citizens and place people’s aspirations at the centre of governance.

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