“PM Should Bestow Bharat Ratna on Zubeen Garg": Gaurav Gogoi

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi kicked off an intensive political campaign in Lower Assam on Saturday, engaging in a series of padayatras, public meetings, and cultural tributes as he ramps up preparations for the 2026 Assembly elections.

The APCC chief began his day in Nalbari, offering prayers at Sri Sri Hari Mandir, before moving to Rajiv Bhawan where he addressed party workers and the media. On the occasion of Silpi Divas, he paid floral tributes to cultural icons Rupkonwar Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Dr Basanta Kumar Bhattacharyya, highlighting their contributions to Assamese arts and literature.

Speaking on the occasion, Gogoi said, “On Silpi Divas, I come with renewed resolve and the dream of building a ‘Bor Axom’. The people are uniting, and a vision for a better Assam is taking shape ahead of the 2026 elections.”

Sharp Criticism of BJP Governance

Gogoi launched a pointed critique of the BJP government, alleging widespread misgovernance in Assam. “Development, wealth, and power are increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few. Ordinary citizens are struggling to secure their livelihoods while the government focuses on its own interests,” he said.

He accused the BJP of misappropriating land for farmers and resources intended for the poor, and claimed that leaders who switched allegiance from Congress to the BJP would ultimately weaken the party but harm public welfare.

Concerns on Floods, Erosion, and Infrastructure Projects

Addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Assam, Gogoi welcomed the PM but highlighted pressing state concerns. “Assam continues to suffer from floods and river erosion. Even a fraction of the Rs 7,000 crore being spent on certain infrastructure projects could have repaired embankments and prevented loss to communities,” he said.

He also raised environmental concerns regarding large projects like the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor, citing dust, prolonged construction, and noise impacts on wildlife. Gogoi questioned whether proper environmental assessments had been conducted before such works were undertaken.

Cultural Advocacy and Zubeen Garg

On Silpi Divas, Gogoi urged recognition for Zubeen Garg, one of Assam’s most celebrated singers. “During earlier visits, neither Zubeen Garg nor Zubeen Khetra were acknowledged. On this occasion, the Prime Minister should consider announcing the Bharat Ratna for him,” he said.

Padayatras and Grassroots Engagement

The Congress leader undertook a nearly 7-kilometre padayatra towards the Tihu constituency, engaging directly with locals and addressing an election meeting. He later participated in multiple programmes in Barkhetri, interacting with grassroots workers and supporters, underlining the party’s intensified political campaign in Lower Assam.

This series of engagements follows Gogoi’s late-night meeting in Delhi with senior Congress leaders, including discussions with Rahul Gandhi at AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence, reflecting a renewed political momentum for the Congress in the state.

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