‘Akhil Gogoi a victim of Congress blackmail politics, will eventually surrender’: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 3 alleged that Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi has become a “victim of blackmail politics” by the Congress and will eventually be compelled to align with the party ahead of the elections.

Addressing the media, Sarma claimed that Akhil Gogoi’s political future hinges entirely on retaining the Sivasagar Assembly seat. 

“I think Akhil Gogoi will surrender to Congress because he has to win the Sivasagar seat. That is why I will not say he will fight with Congress over seat-sharing arrangements. He is bargaining, but his entire political future depends on Sivasagar,” the Chief Minister said.

He further asserted that if the Congress fields a candidate in Sivasagar, Akhil Gogoi may find himself in a weakened position. 

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“That is why Congress is blackmailing him. Outside, you may see Akhil Gogoi as a big leader, but currently, he is a victim of blackmail. In the end, he will follow Congress’s direction because he does not have the strength to win the Sivasagar seat on his own,” Sarma alleged.

The Chief Minister also claimed that both Congress and Raijor Dal are exerting pressure on each other, but maintained that an alliance between them is “99.9 per cent certain.” He said Akhil Gogoi would ultimately justify the alliance to the public as a move to defeat the BJP.

Commenting on Assam Jatiya Parishad leader Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Sarma said both Lurinjyoti and Akhil are inclined towards an alliance with Congress as they aim to secure victory and remain in the Assembly.