Guwahati, March 30: Senior leaders of the Indian National Congress stepped up their election campaign in Assam on March 29, with Gaurav Gogoi accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of leveraging government welfare schemes for political advantage.
Speaking at a campaign rally in support of candidate Mira Borthakur, Gogoi alleged that beneficiaries—particularly women—are being pressured to attend BJP programmes under the threat of losing their entitlements. He claimed that some recipients have received calls warning them of possible discontinuation of benefits if they fail to participate in party events or listen to the Prime Minister’s “Mann Ki Baat”.
Gogoi emphasised that welfare schemes are funded through public resources and should be delivered without political conditions, asserting that access to such benefits must remain independent of political participation.
Outlining the party’s electoral commitments, he highlighted the Congress’s “five guarantees”, including financial assistance of ₹50,000 for women to support self-employment and small businesses. He also proposed the creation of a dedicated department for senior citizens and a monthly pension of ₹1,250.
Additional promises included free health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh per family, distribution of land pattas to 10 lakh indigenous people, and a commitment to ensure justice within 100 days in the case related to late Assamese music icon Zubeen Garg.
Targeting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Gogoi questioned his credibility and accused him of political opportunism. He also framed the electoral contest as a choice between what he described as the “old tainted Congress” and the “real Congress”.
Earlier in the day, Gogoi attended a rally in Naoboicha addressed by Mallikarjun Kharge before heading to Guwahati for the Dispur programme.
Senior Congress leader and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar also addressed the gathering, criticising the BJP’s governance model and alleging that it fosters division while failing to deliver on key promises. He questioned the effectiveness of the “double engine” government and raised concerns over the delay in granting Scheduled Tribe status to six communities.
Shivakumar cited Karnataka as an example of delivering welfare guarantees and expressed confidence in Borthakur’s prospects in Dispur. He also referred to past allegations against the Chief Minister, stating that such issues should be addressed publicly.
The campaign event saw participation from several senior Congress figures, including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, as the party intensified its outreach ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections.
