Guwahati, March 24: Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, on March 22 launched a sharp attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, alleging that the state government has tied access to welfare schemes to political allegiance.
Addressing party workers and the public, Gogoi claimed that the administration led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has created an “undemocratic and coercive” system in which beneficiaries are pressured to align with the ruling party to receive government assistance.
He argued that welfare schemes predate the BJP’s tenure and were historically implemented without political conditions. Referring to initiatives such as Mamoni, Majoni, and Baideo schemes, along with provisions for ASHA and Anganwadi workers, Gogoi said these programmes were earlier delivered without any “hidden agenda.”
The Congress leader further called for collective resistance against what he described as a “politics of fear and intimidation,” asserting that access to public welfare should be determined solely by eligibility rather than political affiliation. He also alleged that beneficiaries are being compelled to attend political programmes, a practice he termed unprecedented.
Invoking remarks by Zubeen Garg, Gogoi emphasised the need to restore dignity and confidence among citizens, stating that people should be able to live “with pride and without fear.”
Projecting confidence ahead of the Assembly elections, Gogoi said the opposition alliance represents the “largest and strongest” political front in Assam’s history and is positioned to challenge the BJP’s hold on power.
