Guwahati, June 22: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi launched a fierce attack on the BJP during a public rally in Srirampur in Kokrajhar, accusing the ruling party of dividing Assam just as it did in Manipur.
“To hide their failures, BJP is trying to divide Assam like they divided Manipur. But as long as Congress exists, Assam will not be allowed to become another Manipur,” Gogoi declared, addressing a crowd of supporters.
Contrasting the BJP’s high-profile infrastructure projects with Congress’s grassroots agenda, Gogoi said, “While Himanta Biswa Sarma is busy building flyovers and elite schools, Congress will focus on roads to villages, libraries in rural colleges, and doctors in village hospitals.”
He further emphasized that Congress’s vision is grounded in real issues – land rights, employment, and local development – rather than headline-grabbing schemes.
Targeting the BJP’s land policies, Gogoi alleged that land is being handed over to corporate giants like Adani while indigenous communities are being denied ownership.
“People are not getting land, but Adani is. They’ve handed over 3,600 bighas of tribal land in BTR for a thermal power plant. They’re grabbing tribal land in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao too,” Gogoi said.
He promised that Congress would fight to protect the land rights of indigenous people and resist corporate encroachment.
Gogoi criticized the alleged misuse of welfare schemes by BJP leaders. “Women are getting ₹1,250 under Orunodoi, but ministers’ families are pocketing ₹10 -20 lakhs from government schemes. These schemes are being hijacked by those in power.”
Announcing that Congress would contest the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) elections seriously, Gogoi asked voters to give the party a chance.
“You’ve seen BPF, UPPL, and BJP. Now give Congress a chance. We are ready to fight, and we trust our workers. If we work hard, the results will surprise everyone.”
He added that Congress has already identified candidates for every constituency and is analyzing its organizational strength on the ground.
Gogoi accused the BJP of concentrating power in Dispur and disrespecting local parties. “Even when Congress ruled both Centre and State, we respected local allies. But today’s BJP keeps the remote control in Dispur and undermines local leadership,” he said.
He also slammed the BJP for failing to grant ST status to Koch Rajbongshis and Adivasis, and not expanding the powers of autonomous councils as promised.
Wrapping up a day of public outreach in Kokrajhar, Bashbari, Tulsibeel, and Srirampur Block Congress office, Gogoi reiterated that Congress will continue raising people’s issues and working to rebuild trust at the grassroots level.
“We are listening. We are learning. And we are coming back stronger – with the people, for the people,” Gogoi added.
