Guwahati, March 29: Akhil Gogoi, chief of the Raijor Dal, has urged opposition parties to come together ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, stressing that a consolidated effort is necessary to “free the people of Assam” and restore democratic functioning in the state.
Addressing the political climate, Gogoi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of centralising power and claimed that governance in Assam had taken an “autocratic” turn. He argued that reversing this trend would require coordinated action from opposition forces and collective support from voters.
The Raijor Dal leader also raised concerns over the case involving Zubeen Garg, describing him as a key cultural figure and alleging that justice has not been adequately delivered. He suggested that a future government could revisit the matter by filing a fresh chargesheet, establishing a dedicated court and ensuring expedited, day-to-day trial proceedings.
Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party’s approach to governance, Gogoi alleged that it is driven by communal considerations and warned of its potential long-term impact. In contrast, he outlined an alternative development model centred on strengthening agriculture and promoting rural industries. His proposals included expanding year-round farming, setting up small-scale industries in villages to generate employment, and introducing training programmes to build professional skills and encourage innovation.
Expressing optimism about the opposition’s chances, Gogoi claimed that a united front could secure a decisive mandate in the elections, projecting that a significant number of seats could go in favour of opposition parties, thereby ending BJP-led governance in Assam.
