Raijor Dal Chief Issues Stark Warning to Congress Over Assam Seat-Sharing
In a significant development for opposition unity ahead of the Assam assembly elections, Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi has firmly reiterated his party's demand to contest fifteen key constituencies. This demand includes the high-profile seats of Dhing and Borchola, where incumbent MLA Sibamoni Bora and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee election management committee chairman Ripun Bora are reportedly eager to stand as candidates.
Congress Faces Electoral Threat if Alliance Falters
Akhil Gogoi delivered a pointed warning to the Congress party, stating that if Raijor Dal is excluded from the Congress-led opposition alliance, Congress will face a decisive rout in its former stronghold of upper Assam. Furthermore, he predicted significant losses in several minority-dominated constituencies across lower Assam. "If Congress betrays us like in 2021 and breaks opposition unity, who will vote for Congress?" Gogoi questioned during his statement. He emphasized that Congress should willingly relinquish the fifteen specified seats to Raijor Dal for the greater good of the opposition coalition.
Congress Leadership Expresses Optimism Amidst Negotiations
Meanwhile, in New Delhi, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia presented a more conciliatory tone. Both leaders asserted that the opposition alliance is progressing in a "positive direction" as election preparations intensify. However, Saikia clarified that current seat-sharing discussions with Raijor Dal are focused on only two to three constituencies, a figure starkly lower than Akhil Gogoi's demand.
Addressing the media after a screening committee meeting at Indira Bhawan, Gaurav Gogoi confirmed that negotiations with multiple opposition parties, including the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), Raijor Dal, APHLC, and Left parties, are ongoing. He described these talks as "extremely positive."
Chief Minister Sarma Comments on Opposition Dynamics
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma provided his analysis of the opposition's seat-sharing efforts. He indicated that an agreement between Congress and the AJP is nearly finalized, with Congress expected to concede the constituencies of Khowang, Barhampur, Sadiya, and Binnakandi to the AJP. According to Sarma, the APHLC is slated to receive two seats in Karbi Anglong, the CPM two seats, and the CPI-ML one seat as part of the broader deal.
"Congress has not been able to come to an understanding with Raijor Dal. We wish that Congress also takes Raijor Dal in their alliance," Sarma remarked, highlighting the ongoing impasse.
Key Candidates and Congress's Stance
It is anticipated that AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi will contest from the Khowang constituency, while Akhil Gogoi is set to defend his current seat in Sivasagar. On a separate note, the Congress party has already declared its intention to contest one hundred of Assam's total one hundred and twenty-six assembly seats.
Debabrata Saikia further elaborated on the candidate selection process, noting that the screening committee is actively reviewing names proposed by aspirants. "No name is finalized so far. In some constituencies, only one or two names are proposed," he stated, adding that the final decision rests with the Election Committee.
Addressing Misinformation and Reaffirming Dialogue
Saikia also addressed the circulation of misinformation in Assam regarding the status of negotiations with Raijor Dal. "There are rumours that discussions with Raijor Dal have ended. I do not know who is spreading such misinformation. I urge everyone not to pay heed to such propaganda," he said emphatically.
He reassured that discussions are very much ongoing and no final decision has been reached. "Akhil Gogoi is in touch regarding several constituencies. Efforts are being made to reach a consensus as far as possible," Saikia concluded, underscoring the continued efforts to forge a united opposition front against the ruling party in the upcoming Assam polls.
