Himanta Biswa Sarma vs Gaurav Gogoi: As the election atmosphere in Assam intensifies, the center of politics now seems to be limited to faces rather than issues. Two big press conferences held in the last few days have brought this political conflict out into the open. On one hand, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma was present on the stage along with five senior cabinet ministers at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, while on the other hand, Congress leaders were present at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati the very next day. Gaurav Gogoi He was seen retaliating with his fellow MPs.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his press conference, shared the report of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which he had constituted to investigate the allegations of Assam Congress President and MP Gaurav Gogoi being a Pakistan agent. This press conference was considered the culmination of the accusation-counter-accusation campaign that had been going on for almost a year.
What did Himanta Sarma say on Gogoi’s family?
During this time, not only Gaurav Gogoi but also his wife Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi and their two children were made a part of the public debate. Questions were raised over their religion and citizenship and the couple’s personal documents – such as employment records, passport and Aadhaar card – were also made public.
Gogoi gave a strong answer?
Just a day later, Congress adopted a counter strategy. Gaurav Gogoi appeared before the media along with MPs Pradyut Bordoloi and Rakibul Hussain at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati. He rejected the allegations and said that he wanted to maintain moral standards. He also said, “We also have information about your children, but we do not want to talk about it.” He also cited the political legacy of his father and former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
It is believed that the attacks being carried out through Sarma can also be beneficial for Gogoi. According to political experts, revealing personal information of the family publicly can also irritate people.
Gogoi made serious allegations against Sarma
From here the political attack became more intense. Gaurav Gogoi targeted Chief Minister Sarma and his entrepreneur wife Riniki Bhuiyan Sarma as part of Congress’s new campaign. He alleged that Sarma entered politics to benefit his family and acquired land in the name of the family across the state.
What’s new in the dispute between Gogoi and Sarma?
This clash is not sudden. Political analysts believe that after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when it became clear that Gaurav Gogoi was going to play a big role in the politics of the state, this direct clash was considered certain. Indian Express reports Himanta Biswa Sarma was once considered close to Tarun Gogoi, but later differences increased and he joined BJP. There has been a war of words between the two camps for years, but this time the attack is considered to be the longest and sharpest.
Has Congress got a face in Assam?
Politically, this personal attack-counter attack has given a clear face to the Congress, which it did not get after the death of Tarun Gogoi in 2020. Both Congress and BJP had fought the 2021 assembly elections without a chief ministerial face. At that time leaders like Gaurav Gogoi, Pradyut Bordoloi, then state president Ripun Bora and MLA Debabrata Saikia were ahead. But now a clear message has been sent inside and outside the party that Gaurav Gogoi is the face of Congress.
Will Congress get any benefit from this clash?
According to the report, a senior Congress leader said that the Chief Minister’s allegations could harm the party, but the way the contest is being presented as Himanta Biswa Sarma versus Gaurav Gogoi, it is strengthening Gogoi’s public image. There may be challenges like coordination within the party, but it is certain that he is the face of the campaign.
However, this election is being considered as the first major test of Gaurav Gogoi’s leadership ability in state politics. He has been an MP since 2014, but he was handed over the command of the State Congress in June 2024, at that time the party was facing continuous defeats.
Will Gaurav Gogoi take charge of Congress’s sinking fortunes?
Gaurav Gogoi is considered a leader with an urban image. He grew up in Delhi and remained away from the grassroots politics of the state for a long time. According to a young Congress leader, his becoming the state president has boosted the morale of the workers. He is such a leader who can directly challenge Himanta Biswa Sarma. But resources are limited and time is short to strengthen the organization. His victory from Jorhat Lok Sabha seat in 2024 was considered a major political achievement, especially since the BJP’s campaign was handled by Chief Minister Sarma himself. Before this, he had been MP twice from Kaliabor seat, which was redefined after delimitation.
What are the challenges for Congress in Assam?
Still, the challenges before Congress are not less. The organization has weakened over the years, many leaders and workers have joined BJP. The party has also found difficulty in forming alliances with other parties and countering the strong narrative of BJP.
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