Congress Chief Gaurav Gogoi Launches Scathing Attack on Assam CM Himanta Sarma
In a fiery election rally at Kamlajhar village in Dhubri district on Saturday, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi unleashed a blistering critique of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, branding him a "hypocrite" over allegations of political double standards.
Allegations of Cattle Syndicate Connections
Gogoi directly challenged Sarma's professed commitment to Hindu causes, asserting that the chief minister's actions contradict his public image. "Sarma claims to be a saviour of Hindus, but gives ticket to an individual who has links to the cattle syndicate and is now paying back the debt using money collected from the illegal network," the Congress leader charged during his address.
The rally was organized to support party candidates Baby Begum from Dhubri constituency and Sobhan Ali Sarkar from Gauripur constituency, with Gogoi using the platform to highlight what he described as systemic corruption within the ruling establishment.
Questioning Sanatan Dharma Credentials
Gogoi further questioned Sarma's religious credentials, pointing to what he called contradictory policies. "Sarma paints himself as a follower of Sanatan dharma, and in contrast, liquor shops licenses are being issued in Assam," Gogoi stated, adding the pointed question: "How can a Sanatani collect money from cattle and liquor syndicates?"
The Congress leader suggested that these alleged financial arrangements revealed a fundamental hypocrisy in the chief minister's public positioning as a defender of Hindu values while simultaneously benefiting from activities many Hindus consider objectionable.
Targeting AIMIM and AIUDF Alliances
Gogoi expanded his criticism beyond Sarma to include broader political alliances, specifically targeting All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF). He accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating political arrangements in Assam.
"It is now clear to the people that AIUDF is BJP's 'B' team in Assam and elsewhere, Owaisi plays the same role," Gogoi declared, suggesting coordinated political strategies between apparently opposing parties.
Allegations of Political Protection
The Congress president also leveled serious accusations regarding the Zubeen Garg case, claiming that Sarma had protected individuals connected to the investigation due to personal relationships. "He also accused Himanta of protecting Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma in the Zubeen Garg case due to his personal connection with the accused," Gogoi stated without providing further details about these alleged connections.
Raijor Dal Support and Additional Criticism
Meanwhile, Congress ally Raijor Dal has fielded its own candidate in Gauripur constituency, with party president and Sivsagar legislator Akhil Gogoi addressing a separate rally at Balajan in support of nominee Abul Mian.
In his speech, Akhil Gogoi echoed similar themes, accusing both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AIUDF of engaging in divisive religious politics. The Raijor Dal leader made personal allegations against Sarma, claiming: "Himanta sent me to jail 16 times. If a Congress-led government comes to power, he (Sarma) will be sent to jail 80 times."
The coordinated attacks from both Congress and its ally represent a significant escalation in political rhetoric as Assam prepares for upcoming elections, with opposition parties attempting to frame the ruling BJP as inconsistent in its principles and potentially compromised by questionable alliances and financial arrangements.
