Congress Appoints Senior Observers for Assam Assembly Elections
Congress Leadership for Assam Elections
The Congress party has designated Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, and ex-Jharkhand MLA Bandhu Tirkey as senior observers for the upcoming Assam assembly elections. K.C. Venugopal, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary (Organization), announced a team of senior observers for five states and Union Territories, including Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, which are set to hold elections in the first half of this year.
Strategic Appointments Ahead of Elections
This announcement follows the appointment of Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the chairperson of the screening committee for the Assam elections. Shivakumar, Baghel, and Tirkey are considered close allies of Vadra, who also serves as the AICC General Secretary. Elections for the 126 seats in Assam are anticipated to take place in March-April. Last month, Congress, along with CPI(M), Raijor Dal, Assam Ethnic Council (AJP), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC) from Karbi Anglong, declared a coalition to contest the elections collectively.
Gaurav Gogoi's Vision for Assam's Future
Previously, Gaurav Gogoi, the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), stated that the 2026 Assam assembly elections would be unprecedented. He emphasized that the contest would not merely be among political parties but between the people of Assam and what he referred to as the 'self-proclaimed king.' Gogoi indicated that the identity of this 'king' is well-known to the public. While addressing a public gathering, he noted that opposition parties are aware of the anger and despair among the populace, which is why they stand united with the citizens.
Challenges Ahead for the Ruling Party
Gogoi accused the ruling party of attempting to sway voters through financial incentives, communal polarization, and alleged violations of electoral laws. Despite these tactics, he asserted that the people of Assam would respond decisively. He expressed confidence that the citizens would send a strong message to the nation, asserting that money, power, arrogance, threats, and divisive politics cannot undermine the dignity of the people. Gogoi further stated that the land, heritage, culture, peace, and social harmony of Assam would be safeguarded.