Gaurav Gogoi hits out at Assam CM over child welfare, voter irregularities

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi slammed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during an election rally at Kalgachiya in Barpeta on Saturday, May 3 accusing the BJP-led government of sidelining urgent public concerns in favor of personal attacks and diversionary politics.

Addressing a gathering, Gogoi highlighted rising school dropout rates, the surge in child labor, and deteriorating conditions in government schools. “The Chief Minister is fixated on my children — that is his concern. But I am committed to the children of Assam,” Gogoi declared. “Dropouts are increasing, children are being forced into labor, and our schools are crumbling. As a Congress representative, I hold myself accountable for securing their future.”

His remarks followed a recent controversial challenge from the Chief Minister, who stated he would resign if Gogoi could prove his child holds Indian citizenship — a statement Gogoi dismissed as a distraction from Assam’s real problems. He called upon voters to stay focused on pressing issues affecting daily lives.

Speaking to reporters after the rally, the Congress leader voiced serious concerns over discrepancies in the voter rolls during the first phase of polling. "We have detected multiple irregularities in the voter lists, and I plan to file a formal complaint with the Election Commission," Gogoi said.

He also criticized BJP ministers, hinting at alleged land scams. “It appears there’s now a race among five ministers to see who can acquire more land. While they focus on that, ordinary people continue to suffer,” he commented.

Responding to the black flag demonstrations he faced in Nalbari the previous day, Gogoi alleged political orchestration. “These protests were staged under instructions from a minister. This is not the tradition of Nalbari, and aware citizens there have denounced such acts,” he asserted.

On the subject of political activist Akhil Gogoi, the Congress MP questioned his shifting targets. “One day he attacks us, the next day the BJP, then Himanta Biswa Sarma, Hiren Gohain, and now even Bhupen Bora. Akhil Gogoi seems to oppose everyone. Only he knows what his political agenda truly is,” he said.

Addressing the current strain in India-Pakistan relations, Gogoi expressed support for strong measures but criticized the BJP’s approach. “We back the government in taking firm action against Pakistan. But instead, BJP is using these serious matters to settle scores with the opposition. They should confront external threats, not use them to vent political frustration,” he concluded.