Guwahati: Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi formally assumed charge as the new president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday, setting the stage for a renewed push ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections.
Gogoi succeeded Bhupen Kumar Borah, who had led the state unit for over three years.
The handover took place at the Assam Congress headquarters in Guwahati in the presence of senior party leaders, including AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh and Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia.
Before taking charge, Gogoi visited the Kamakhya temple to seek blessings.
Speaking to reporters, he reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s core values, saying, “The Congress will remain guided by its ideals of equality and inclusiveness.”
He added that the party would draw strength from the legacy of leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Hiteswar Saikia, and his father, former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
Gogoi’s appointment as state party chief comes at a politically charged time.
His elevation follows continued attacks from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who recently made controversial remarks about Gogoi’s British-born wife and alleged links to Pakistan’s intelligence agency—claims the Congress has strongly refuted.
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In a show of grassroots strength and symbolic unity, Gogoi undertook a three-day padyatra (procession) from Sivasagar to Guwahati ahead of his formal induction.
The march, which began on May 31, made stops in Titabor, Jorhat, Nagaon, Morigaon, and Jagiroad. At each location, he was welcomed by party workers and addressed supporters, signaling his intent to energize the party base across regions.
Gogoi, who also serves as the Deputy Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, faces the challenging task of reviving the party’s fortunes in Assam amid internal restructuring and a resurgent BJP-led state government.
