Akhil Gogoi offers conditional support to Gaurav Gogoi, slams Congress over ‘betrayal’

Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi on March 16 made a series of sharp political remarks, saying he has urged his party not to field a candidate against Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in Jorhat, as he wants him to enter the Assam Legislative Assembly.

Addressing the media, Akhil Gogoi said Raijor Dal will soon release its third list of candidates, followed by the final list. However, he revealed that he has submitted a written request to party leaders suggesting that no Raijor Dal candidate be fielded from Jorhat against Gaurav Gogoi.

“I want Gaurav Gogoi to come to the Assam Assembly. We have 126 MLAs, but 99.9 per cent of them do not have proper knowledge of the Constitution. They may win elections, but they do not significantly contribute to lawmaking. If Gaurav comes to the Assembly, he can help frame new laws and strengthen debates,” he said.

He added that the Congress position in Jorhat is “not strong” and claimed that Raijor Dal’s organisational setup in the constituency is stronger. According to him, some party workers had suggested that Gaurav Gogoi should have contested from Titabor or Mahmora instead of Jorhat.

“This is not final. I have only made a suggestion. Our party leaders will meet and take a final decision,” he clarified.
In a significant political statement, Akhil Gogoi said he would request his party to support Gaurav Gogoi if the Congress leader directly approaches him.

“If Gaurav removes his ego and directly requests me, I will ask our party to help him. Our organisational network is stronger than Congress in Jorhat. We can help him,” he said.

Referring to another question on whether he had requested Congress not to field a candidate from Sibsagar, Akhil Gogoi said he had made no such appeal, neither in the past nor now.

Recalling the previous election when he was lodged in jail, the Raijor Dal chief said people had campaigned for him out of love and conviction, leading to his victory. He alleged that Congress had fielded a candidate against him even then, despite his incarceration.
“I never asked Congress for anything, not last time, not this time,” he asserted.

He further said that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma should contest from Sibsagar, and that Gaurav Gogoi should also enter the fray.
“I have not requested support from anyone. I have faith in the people. I will win the election on my own calibre and on the strength of people’s love and support,” he said.

“If Gaurav comes to the Assembly, there will be three strong voices — Himanta, Gaurav and me. We can debate key issues. I will sit in the Opposition, Himanta will be in the Opposition, and if Gaurav becomes Chief Minister, it will be interesting,” he said.

He further alleged that Congress is sidelining regional forces and attempting to weaken Raijor Dal. “Congress thinks it can defeat the BJP alone. That is their biggest mistake. Raijor Dal is the BJP’s strongest opponent in Assam,” he asserted.

Akhil Gogoi also expressed suspicion over Gaurav Gogoi’s electoral strategy for 2026, alleging that Congress is distributing tickets to leaders’ sons as part of a long-term plan for 2031. He questioned whether Gaurav Gogoi is serious about the upcoming election, alleging that the party may be indirectly giving a “walkover” to the BJP.

He also criticised Lurinjyoti Gogoi, accusing him of failing to prevent the collapse of a potential alliance and acting in his party’s self-interest.

Despite his sharp criticism, Akhil Gogoi concluded by saying he would continue to fight the BJP and wished Congress well if it manages to form the government.

“I have no option but to contest. Congress betrayed us. Still, I want Gaurav Gogoi to win. If they think they can form the government alone, I wish them luck,” he added.