Guwahati: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday announced that the party will contest 100 of the 126 seats in the state Assembly elections scheduled for next year, with the remaining constituencies to be allotted to its alliance partners.
Addressing a meeting held to mark the Congress party’s 141st foundation day, Gogoi said the party would form alliances with “like-minded” political outfits to defeat what he termed the “anti-people BJP.” However, he categorically ruled out any alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), describing it as a “communal party.”
“The Congress will contest 100 constituencies out of the total 126 seats, while the remaining seats will be allocated to alliance partners through mutual discussions. Under no circumstances will a communal party like the AIUDF be included in this alliance,” Gogoi said.
The Congress leader accused the BJP of thriving on division and unrest, while asserting that the Congress stood for peace, unity, and constitutional values. “The dignity of the people of Assam has been taken away under the BJP’s rule. Under the leadership of the Congress, that dignity will be restored,” he claimed.
Gogoi, who is also the deputy leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, alleged that the BJP government is systematically curtailing the rights of the people. He said the poor benefitted during the tenure of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and promised “real and meaningful change” if the Congress returns to power.
He further announced that a separate law would be enacted to take strict action against those spreading religious hatred. “Whether it is a church, namghar, temple or mosque, anyone attempting to desecrate a place of worship will face stringent punishment. In the land of Sankardeva, Madhavdeva and Ajan Pir, divisive forces will never be tolerated,” he said.
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As part of the foundation day celebrations, Gogoi hoisted the party flag and paid floral tributes to the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Assam’s cultural icon Zubeen Garg. A procession was also taken out in Tezpur, with senior state Congress leaders, including former state party presidents Bhupen Borah and Ripun Bora, in attendance.
