"I was positive earlier, but feel a bit helpless now": Gaurav Gogoi on alliance roadblocks

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President and MP Gaurav Gogoi, acknowledged that alliance negotiations ahead of the Assembly elections remain a work in progress, with seat-sharing discussions with Raijor Dal yet to be finalised. 

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi admitted that while dialogue continues, internal concerns and unresolved objections have complicated the path to a smooth electoral understanding.

Addressing reporters, Gogoi said talks over seat-sharing with Raijor Dal and other parties are ongoing and that a detailed status report is being submitted to the Congress central leadership. He confirmed that the state unit is also seeking guidance from the high command on navigating specific hurdles that have surfaced during negotiations.

Without naming constituencies, Gogoi acknowledged that Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi has publicly flagged objections to certain seats under discussion. “You all know he reveals everything before the media. But it is not our party culture to speak anything and everything in public. We speak only after due consultation and discussion with party leaders,” Gogoi said, underlining what he described as the Congress’ disciplined approach to alliance-building.

He added that while the Congress has finalised a seat-sharing arrangement with one party, negotiations with another key regional player are yet to conclude. Though he expressed confidence that an alliance would eventually materialise, his remarks suggested mounting strain within party ranks.

A significant point of friction, he indicated, is the reported induction of former Congress leaders — who were earlier expelled — into Raijor Dal. According to Gogoi, many Congress leaders are questioning how seat-sharing can proceed “peacefully” if tickets are allotted to those once removed from the party for disciplinary reasons. “I leave it to the public. They are watching. They will decide what is right or wrong,” he said, in a pointed reference to the political optics of such decisions.

In a rare display of personal candour, Gogoi admitted that while he had earlier been “very optimistic” about a broader opposition understanding, his “power is decreasing” amid the complexities of negotiation. “Still, I will try my level best to make my party colleagues, senior leaders and the central leadership understand the importance of taking everyone together for the upcoming Assembly polls. But truly speaking, I feel a bit helpless now,” he said.