Guwahati, Feb 19: Senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia on February 19 described the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party as a “Congress Alumni Party (CAP)”, alleging that it was increasingly populated by former Congress leaders, including the present Chief Minister.
Addressing the media, Saikia said he preferred wearing a Gandhi cap at party functions but remarked that the BJP, with several former Congress leaders in its ranks, could well be termed a Congress Alumni Party. Referring to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, he claimed that the party appeared crowded with ex-Congress faces who had merely changed political colours.
Playing on the words “cap” and “topi”, Saikia alleged that the BJP was making former Congress leaders “wear a new topi” after switching sides. He said the party looked less like a new alternative and more like a rebranded formation filled with recycled leaders, adding that people deserved authenticity rather than what he termed recycled politics.
His remarks came amid continued political realignments in Assam ahead of the Assembly elections, with several leaders changing parties.
Speaking about the Congress’ preparations, Saikia said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had been appointed chairperson of the party’s screening committee for the upcoming polls. He stated that, unlike previous exercises where members remained confined to the party headquarters, the new approach involved extensive outreach across the state.
According to Saikia, screening committee members would travel to different districts, interact with grassroots workers, office-bearers and district leaders, and later meet in Guwahati with Priyanka Gandhi. He added that she would personally meet district presidents and Pradesh Congress Committee members before finalising the list of prospective candidates.
Saikia described the initiative as a more inclusive and transparent selection process aimed at strengthening grassroots engagement. He expressed confidence that the revised strategy would energise party workers and help the Congress field stronger candidates in the forthcoming elections.
