Nagaland Congress leader Rajesh Kumar Sethi, who is also the National Coordinator of the AICC Minority Department and Incharge of Manipur, has strongly condemned the allegations made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi. Sethi criticized Sarma's remarks as a desperate attempt to tarnish the reputation of a leader who has earned the trust of the people of Assam and the nation.
BJP's Declining Influence in Assam
Sethi pointed out that the BJP, frustrated by its diminishing influence in Assam, has resorted to spreading lies. Following a significant defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the Congress secured crucial seats like Jorhat, Dhubri, and Nowgong, Sarma allegedly sought to deflect attention from his government's failures by making unsubstantiated claims. Sethi emphasized the landslide victory of Gaurav Gogoi in Jorhat, where he won by a margin of 1,44,393 votes, as a direct rejection of the BJP's divisive politics.
Sarma's Governance Under Scrutiny
Sethi further criticized Himanta Biswa Sarma for his failure in governance, stating that the Assam CM is increasingly panicked by the people’s disillusionment. He highlighted issues such as joblessness, struggling industries like tea and coal, rampant corruption, and unfulfilled development promises. Instead of addressing these concerns, Sarma has allegedly resorted to smear campaigns against Gogoi, accusing the Assam CM of engaging in character assassination rather than focusing on the state's progress.
Congress Leaders Respond
Senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi, along with AICC Minority Department Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi, strongly refuted the allegations. The two leaders addressed the media during an event organized by the Assam PCC Minority Department, titled "Save Constitution, Save Democracy." They exposed the BJP's desperation and denounced Sarma for making false claims to distract from his government’s failures.
Imran Pratapgarhi emphasized that the Congress would not tolerate such character assassination and that legal action would be pursued against Sarma's defamatory remarks. He further stated that the people of Assam deserve a government focused on development and jobs, not one that spreads lies to cover up its shortcomings. Pratapgarhi declared that the BJP’s nervousness was evident, and their downfall in Assam had already begun.
Solidarity with Gaurav Gogoi
Sethi reaffirmed the AICC Minority Department's unwavering support for Gaurav Gogoi. He called on the people of Assam to reject the divisive politics of lies and deceit and to demand leaders focused on progress. Sethi concluded by demanding an unconditional apology from Himanta Biswa Sarma for his defamatory remarks, asserting that Assam’s political future should not be dictated by propaganda and falsehoods.