BJP plays musical chairs with CMs, runs them by ‘remote control’ from Delhi: Gaurav Gogoi

Intensifying the political rhetoric ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of reducing the office of Chief Minister to a “mere formality” and running state governments through “remote control” from New Delhi.

Addressing the media, Gogoi alleged that the BJP frequently reshuffles its Chief Ministers without regard for public mandate or institutional dignity. Drawing a parallel with what he termed a pattern across BJP-ruled states, Gogoi said the party engages in “musical chairs” with top leadership, undermining stability and accountability.

He cited the example of Sarbananda Sonowal, noting that despite leading the BJP to victory in Assam five years ago, Sonowal was later replaced after forming the government. “He was a tribal leader with roots in the AASU movement, yet he was removed after delivering a mandate. This shows how little importance the BJP gives to the Chief Minister’s position,” Gogoi said.

Expanding his criticism beyond Assam, Gogoi referred to leadership decisions in other BJP-ruled states, including Rajasthan, where, he claimed, Chief Ministers were appointed arbitrarily. “In the BJP, decisions about who becomes Chief Minister are taken elsewhere. Names are decided centrally, and state leaders are expected to follow orders. It reflects a governance model driven by central command rather than democratic consultation,” he alleged.

Gogoi further accused the BJP of attempting to control state governments from Delhi, saying, “They want to run all Chief Ministers through remote control, which weakens federal principles and the autonomy of states.”

When asked whether he would be projected as the Chief Ministerial face of the Congress in Assam, Gogoi downplayed personal ambition. “Our only goal is to form a Congress-led government and to remove the fear that has been instilled among the people of Assam. I have no personal expectations—what mattered earlier still matters today,” he said.