Guwahati, March 12: Gaurav Gogoi on March 12 indicated that he may hold a courtesy meeting with Hemant Soren after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha signalled interest in entering Assam’s electoral politics ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, Gogoi said he would try to meet the Jharkhand chief minister but emphasised that such discussions are better held privately rather than in the public domain.
“Jharkhand CM has visited Assam, and we will try to have a courtesy call with him. These things are not to be revealed in the media. We will keep our views in an official meeting,” Gogoi said.
Soren, who also heads the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, had visited Assam earlier this week where he called for tribal unity and attended an iftar gathering.
Gogoi is currently in Jharkhand as part of the Indian National Congress’s efforts to strengthen its strategy ahead of the Assam Legislative Assembly elections. He said the visit was aimed at seeking support from leaders of the Jharkhand unit of the party.
According to Gogoi, the All India Congress Committee has appointed Bandhu Tirkey as a senior observer for the upcoming polls. Tirkey has already visited all districts in Assam to understand local issues and political conditions.
Gogoi said the delegation from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee travelled to Jharkhand to discuss with senior leaders how they could help strengthen the Congress organisation in Assam and contribute to shaping a new political direction in the state.
The Congress leader is expected to contest the Assembly elections from the Jorhat constituency.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera said that discussions on seat-sharing with alliance partners are continuing. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, he stated that the party is considering ground surveys and public opinion while negotiating with allies.
Khera also criticised Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging corruption and asserting that the Congress’ confidence stems from the prevailing situation on the ground.
“Our confidence doesn’t come from bravado. Our confidence comes from the ground situation. You put ₹9,000 or ₹90,000, people want to get rid of this corrupt man,” he said.
Assam is expected to hold its Assembly elections later this year, with the Bharatiya Janata Party aiming for a third consecutive term in power while the Congress seeks to return to government in the state.
