Himanta makes "unilateral decisions": Gaurav Gogoi wary over erosion of Sixth Schedule autonomy

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi, during a two-day party visit to Karbi Anglong district, raised serious concerns over the erosion of autonomy in Sixth Schedule areas under the current Assam government. 
 

Gogoi, addressing a press meet in Diphu, accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of undermining the fundamental principles of the Sixth Schedule, which grants special autonomy to tribal regions, and violating the spirit of the Indian Constitution.
 

Gogoi highlighted that during the 15-year tenure of former Chief Minister Late Tarun Gogoi, power was decentralized to empower local councils like the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC), and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). 
 

However, he alleged that under the current regime, all decision-making powers are centralized in the hands of the Chief Minister. “The councils are being run by remote control from Dispur, with the Chief Minister making unilateral decisions, sidelining the council chiefs,” Gogoi stated.
 

The Congress leader further accused CM Sarma of acting like a “real estate broker” by allocating thousands of bighas of indigenous peoples’ land to corporate houses, severely undermining the rights and autonomy of Sixth Schedule areas. 
 

Gogoi also pointed to unresolved border disputes with Meghalaya as another failure of the state government.
 

While traveling to Guwahati, Gogoi recorded a short video highlighting the controversial construction of a lavish residence for the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, likening it to the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy associated with a former Delhi CM.
 

Gogoi was accompanied by APCC Working President Rosleena Tirky, Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee President Bidya Sing Rongpi, and prominent party workers during his visit.