Assam: Gaurav Gogoi attacks Himanta Biswa Sarma at APCC rally

Guwahati: With a resolve to create a “Greater Assam,” the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) today organized a massive public meeting at Pathalipathar in Bihpuria, Lakhimpur district. The rally, held in the presence of APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, turned into a massive gathering of people. Addressing thousands of people, Gogoi launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Speaking from the stage, Gogoi said he wanted to speak to the people informally and asserted that Assam is heading towards a decisive battle this time. Referring to people saying they were ready to wait not just for an hour and a half but even three hours, he said the message from the ground is clear – people want the Congress. “Wherever we go, people welcome us – the youth, women trust us, and the elders bless us,” he said.
Gogoi alleged that Himanta Biswa Sarma believes that power rests solely with him and that everything should happen according to his will as long as he is the Chief Minister. “Such arrogance, such audacity,” he said, adding that the people of Assam will show him that he is not the deciding factor.
Questioning the BJP government’s borrowing of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, Gogoi said the government is drowning in debt and has no money left to borrow. “To raise money, liquor shops have been opened all over Assam, and toll gates have been set up everywhere. This is why land premiums have been increased through Basundhara. Traffic fines have been increased to generate revenue. Government schools are being closed because there is no money to pay the teachers,” he alleged.
Describing Sarma’s political journey as opportunistic, Gogoi said he started with AASU, then came to the Congress to save himself, and later went to the BJP again to save himself. Gogoi said, “The day the BJP loses power, he will switch sides again and want to come back to the Congress. But should we take him back? People say no – and we will say the same.” “If he is such a big politician, let him sit in the opposition for once. His courage will vanish in a second.”
Recalling conversations with senior leaders, Gogoi referred to the relationship between the late former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and Himanta Biswa Sarma. He said that Tarun Gogoi treated Sarma like a son, protected him, and supported him, but was ultimately betrayed. He said, “Tarun Gogoi regretted it later,” and added that Sarma would betray Sarbananda Sonowal as well – which was proven in 2021 when Sonowal was sidelined despite winning the mandate.
He also alleged that the Chief Minister’s wife has bought land in Majuli. He said, “We will go to Majuli to see the land bought by ‘Mami’.” Comparing this to his own family, Gogoi said that his late father, who was Chief Minister three times, never bought companies in his son’s name, opened channels in the family’s name, or bought tea gardens. He alleged, “But Himanta Biswa Sarma’s son has 17 companies in his name,” while the youth are unemployed and migrating to Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala for daily wages.
He also alleged that the Chief Minister’s wife has bought land in Majuli. He said, “We will go to Majuli to see the land bought by ‘Mami’.” Comparing this to his own family, Gogoi said that his late father, who was Chief Minister three times, never bought companies in his son’s name, opened channels in the family’s name, or bought tea gardens. He alleged, “But Himanta Biswa Sarma’s son has 17 companies in his name,” while the youth are unemployed and migrating to Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala for daily wage work.
Gogoi further accused the government of being busy promoting liquor and syndicates, closing down government schools, and opening private ones, and linked Sarma’s name to cases like Louis Berger, Saradha, Gir Cow scam, TADA cases, and the Manabendra Sarma murder case. He alleged, “There is no heinous crime in which his name is not involved.” On land issues, Gogoi said that people are not getting land under the Basundhara scheme and alleged that while some land brokers are being arrested, the biggest land broker is sitting in Dispur. He warned that 40,000 bighas of tribal land are being handed over to Adani-Ambani and Patanjali. Demanding a new “Greater Assam,” Gogoi said that Tarun Gogoi kept Assam united and on the path of development, but today the state is witnessing uncivilized, arrogant, and fear-based politics. He said, “The Greater Assam we envision will have progressive and productive people of Assam,” and lamented the closure of tea, jute, and silk industries and the plight of small contractors.
Accusing the BJP of trying to remove names from the voter list, Gogoi urged people to check the Election Commission website, download the voter list, and verify removed names, deaths, or transfers. He alleged that living people are being shown as dead, and even government BLOs have been shown as deceased. He said, “Elections will come and go, Congress may win or lose, but the BJP’s hunger for power is such that it is misusing the electoral process.”