Will Gaurav-Himanta face-off in Jalukbari in 2026?

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 18, 2024

Will Gaurav Gogoi and Himanta Biswa Sarma face off in Jalukbari in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections?

Gaurav Gogoi has expressed his willingness to contest from Jalukbari if the Congress party assigns him there, while Himanta Biswa Sarma is currently the sitting MLA from Jalukbari and the Chief Minister of Assam.

“If the party asks him to contest from the Jorhat assembly seat, I will do so. If the party instructs me to fight from the Jalukbari constituency, I am fully prepared to take on the challenge,” Gogoi told reporters here.

Gogoi expressed his reluctance to engage in discussions or debates about his electoral prospects or potential defeats.

“There have been various discussions and speculations regarding where I might contest from and the margins by which I could win or lose. My primary focus is not on these debates but rather on fulfilling the dreams and visions of my late father, former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, for Assam. My commitment is to work towards achieving the goals and aspirations my father had for the state,” he also said.

“My commitment is to realizing the unfulfilled aspirations of my late father, former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. My dream is to continue the work my father started for Assam, focusing on the goals that remain incomplete,” Gogoi also said.

 Gogoi criticized the current BJP, labelling it as an “opportunist” party, distinguishing it from its earlier image. He suggested that the BJP’s approach to politics is self-serving, where only a small fraction of resources or benefits are allocated to the public while the majority is retained by the leader.

Gogoi criticized certain aspects of BJP’s politics, particularly focusing on personal or family-centred projects rather than genuine public service. “Politics should not be about opening tea estates in one’s family’s name or starting companies for relatives. Such actions are out of touch with the needs and sentiments of the people,” he said.

Gogoi also pointed out that many BJP workers are frustrated with this approach, indicating a broader dissatisfaction within the party ranks.

The Congress leader highlighted that BJP workers have now joined the Congress party, motivated by a desire to work on pressing issues affecting the people of Assam.

He emphasized the need to address key concerns such as the ST (Scheduled Tribe) status for six communities, wage issues for tea garden workers, and various industrial challenges.

“Those engaged in opportunistic politics have aligned themselves with the BJP, while individuals dedicated to genuinely serving the people have joined the Congress party. The Congress is committed to public service and addressing the real needs of the people,” Gogoi further said.

“The Congress is grounded in the principle of dialogue, aiming to resolve issues through open and constructive discussions,” he contrasted this with the BJP, which he described as having a “kingship” approach, implying a more hierarchical or top-down style of governance.

“This BJP has diverged from its earlier values and no longer honours the contributions of RSS workers. The BJP operates with a more autocratic or elitist mindset, prioritizing power and control over genuine public engagement,” he added.