Congress's Gaurav Gogoi Intensifies Jorhat Campaign with Land Patta Promise
In Guwahati, the election campaign in the Jorhat constituency has significantly intensified as Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi takes to the ground with a compelling pledge. Gogoi has committed to providing permanent land pattas for the poor if the Congress party forms the next government in Assam. This promise comes amid a charged political atmosphere where Gogoi is sharpening his attacks on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government.
Gogoi's Critique of BJP's Welfare Schemes
Addressing enthusiastic gatherings at key locations including Raraiya Tini Ali, Hatkhola, and Holongapar, Gogoi launched a scathing critique against the BJP administration. He accused the ruling party of transforming welfare schemes into instruments of political loyalty, asserting that such practices undermine the democratic process. "Schemes are government schemes, and the money belongs to the people. It is not the Chief Minister's personal fund. Public funds cannot be distributed based on praise or punishment," Gogoi emphasized during his speeches.
As the Congress candidate in Jorhat, Gogoi further alleged that women are being coerced into attending BJP meetings and listening to programs like Mann Ki Baat to receive financial benefits under government schemes, specifically mentioning the Rs 1,250 assistance. "This is not respect for women; it is an insult," he declared, promising that under a Congress-led government, benefits would be delivered promptly and without any political conditions attached.
Highlighting Governance Failures and Development Issues
Gogoi did not hold back in highlighting what he described as significant failures in governance under the BJP regime. He pointed to several critical issues affecting the daily lives of Assam's residents:
- Schools are being shut down while liquor shops are opening, raising concerns about education and social welfare.
- Medicines are reportedly unavailable in hospitals, compromising healthcare services.
- Emergency services, such as the 108 ambulance system, are faltering, putting lives at risk.
- Police are allegedly being instructed to reduce the number of registered cases annually, potentially affecting law and order.
On the development front, Gogoi underscored persistent problems in rural areas, including villages lacking progress, the spread of drug-related issues, and water pipelines that remain dry despite installation. He urged voters to reject what he termed "opportunistic politicians who switch between Congress and BJP," arguing that such leaders enrich themselves while their regions continue to suffer from underdevelopment.
Emphasizing Broader Alliance for Inclusive Development
In a strategic move, Gogoi underscored the broader political alliance that the Congress has forged with several regional and leftist parties. This coalition includes the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) or CPI(ML). Gogoi stated that this united front aims to build a new Assam based on principles of inclusive development, ensuring that all communities benefit from governance and progress.
The intensified campaign in Jorhat reflects the high stakes in the upcoming elections, with Gogoi positioning the Congress as a viable alternative focused on transparency, equity, and genuine welfare for the people. As the political battle heats up, voters in Assam are being presented with clear choices between the incumbent BJP's policies and the opposition's promises of reform and empowerment.
