Congress–Raijor Dal tie-up just a ‘lollipop’: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on February 1 dismissed the reported understanding between the Congress and Raijor Dal as a temporary political arrangement, alleging that it has been orchestrated solely to manage the fallout of an upcoming press conference on February 8 regarding the alleged Pakistan link of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi.

Addressing a press conference, Sarma claimed that the Congress state leadership has set up what he termed an “emergency arrangement” rather than a genuine alliance. 

He alleged that Gaurav Gogoi is currently reaching out to political leaders, journalists, newspaper owners and television channel heads in a bid to ensure support ahead of the proposed February 8 press meet. 

According to Sarma, the move is aimed at ensuring that leaders like Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi come forward to defend Gaurav Gogoi once the allegations are made public.

“The so-called alliance is nothing but a lollipop. If it were a real alliance, seat-sharing would have been announced by now,” the chief minister said, adding that the actual nature of the Congress–Raijor Dal relationship will become clear after February 8. 

He remarked that it remains to be seen “who will wear the hat” at that point — Gaurav Gogoi or Akhil Gogoi.

Sarma further asserted that several phases of Assam’s electoral politics have already passed and claimed that such “theatrics” by the opposition have little relevance on the ground. He maintained that the people of Assam have already made up their minds about whom they want to elect and whom they want to reject in the upcoming Assembly elections.

The chief minister’s comments come amid growing political speculation over a possible understanding between the Congress and Raijor Dal as the state heads towards the polls, with Sarma sharpening his attack on both parties and questioning the credibility and intent of their alleged partnership.