Debabrata Saikia calls BJP a ‘Congress Alumni Party’, says voters deserve authenticity

Senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia on Thursday, February 19, dubbed the ruling party a “Congress Alumni Party (CAP)”, alleging that it is increasingly populated by former Congress leaders, including the present Chief Minister.

 

Addressing the media, Saikia said, “I don’t want to wear a CAP. What I wear is a Gandhi cap, which is required at our party functions. But looking at the BJP today, with so many former Congress leaders joining it, including the present Chief Minister, it can well be called a Congress Alumni Party.”

 

Drawing a wordplay on the term “cap” and “topi,” Saikia further remarked that the BJP was making former Congress leaders “wear a new topi” after switching sides. “BJP today looks less like a new alternative and more like a CAP, Congress Alumni Party. A party crowded with ex-Congress faces now wearing a different colour. This CAP seems intent on ‘sabko topi pehnana’ fooling everyone with rebranding, not real change. People deserve authenticity, not recycled politics,” he said.

 

Saikia’s remarks come amid continued political realignments in Assam, with several leaders switching sides ahead of the Assembly elections.

 

Speaking about Congress’ internal preparations, Saikia said that Priyanka Gandhi has been appointed chairperson of the party’s screening committee for the upcoming elections.

 

He said that unlike previous exercises where screening committee members would remain confined to the party headquarters for consultations, the new approach involves extensive outreach across Assam.

 

“The screening committee members will tour different parts of the state, interact with grassroots workers, office-bearers, and district-level leaders. They will then meet in Guwahati with Priyanka Gandhi,” Saikia said.

 

According to him, Priyanka Gandhi will personally meet district presidents and Pradesh Congress Committee members before finalising the list of prospective candidates. He described the move as a “better and more inclusive approach” aimed at strengthening grassroots engagement and ensuring a more transparent selection process.

 

Saikia expressed confidence that the revised strategy would energise party workers and help Congress present stronger candidates in the upcoming electoral battle.