Guwahati: Tensions between opposition allies Congress and Raijor Dal have deepened significantly, with relations souring after Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi on Tuesday stated that the opposition suffered a major setback by contesting under Congress's leadership. He further alleged that Congress MLAs spent the last five years in the Assembly in tacit understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and remained inactive on key issues.
Akhil Gogoi's Accusations
Addressing the media during a Raijor Dal review meeting in Guwahati, Akhil Gogoi said, "Congress failed to defeat BJP. We lost badly in this election because we participated under the leadership of Congress." He emphasized that mere lip service is not enough and claimed, "In the last five years, my experience says Congress and CPM were doing understanding with BJP." This was a pointed message to Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi.
Akhil Gogoi also asserted that the number of Congress MLAs fell from 29 to 19 because they failed to raise their voice effectively. He blamed Congress for the delay in finalizing the six-party opposition alliance, which he said contributed to the electoral setback.
Lack of United Campaigning
Although the election was projected as a direct contest between the three Gogois — Gaurav Gogoi, Akhil Gogoi, and Lurinjyoti Gogoi — and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Akhil noted that apart from one campaign meeting in Khowang, the three leaders were unable to campaign together. This lack of unity, he implied, weakened the opposition's performance.
Gaurav Gogoi's Response
Responding to Akhil Gogoi's remarks, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday said that Akhil regularly criticizes the party because he enjoys doing so. He added, "The public knows whether he stands with the ruling side or the opposition," dismissing the allegations as baseless.
The escalating rift between the two parties highlights growing discord within the opposition alliance in Assam, potentially impacting future electoral strategies and unity against the ruling BJP.
