Congress Faces Major Setback in Assam Elections as Dynastic Politics Rejected
Congress Suffers Significant Losses in Assam
A file image of Gaurav Gogoi (centre) with Debabrata Saikia (3rd from left) and others. (Photo: @AkhilGogoiAG/x)
Guwahati, May 5: In a disappointing turn for the Congress party, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intensified his criticism of dynastic politics, asserting that voters have turned away from leaders who rely on their family legacies instead of personal merit.
In response to the Assembly election results, Sarma emphasized that the electorate has sent a strong message against what he referred to as 'blue blood' politics.
He highlighted the defeats of several prominent candidates with political backgrounds, questioning their failure to forge their own identities.
“How long will you be recognized merely as the son of Tarun Gogoi or Bhumidhar Barman?” Sarma remarked, noting that these leaders had ample opportunity to establish themselves but remained tethered to their familial legacies.
Having transitioned from Congress to BJP in 2014, Sarma, who began his political journey under Hiteswar Saikia, stated that the election results reflect a significant shift in voter expectations.
However, he tempered his remarks by expressing that he did not take pleasure in the defeats of others. “There is no joy in someone’s defeat… I don’t personally feel joy in Hiteswar Saikia’s son losing,” he commented.
These comments came in light of the losses experienced by the sons of three former Congress chief ministers, highlighting the party's dramatic decline.
Gaurav Gogoi, the Assam Congress president and son of former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, lost the Jorhat seat to BJP’s Hitendra Nath Goswami by over 23,000 votes, marking a significant blow for the party in Upper Assam.
Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of the Opposition and son of Hiteswar Saikia, was unable to retain the Nazira seat, a family stronghold, losing to BJP’s Mayur Borgohain by more than 46,000 votes. Saikia had represented this constituency since 2011 and served as Leader of the Opposition since 2016.
Additionally, Diganta Barman, son of former chief minister Bhumidhar Barman, faced defeat in Barkhetri, losing to BJP’s Narayan Deka by a margin exceeding 84,000 votes.
The overall impact of these defeats was evident in the Congress's performance, which saw its representation in the 126-member Assembly drop to just 19 seats from 26 in 2021, marking its worst performance in the state.
In light of the setback, Gaurav Gogoi accepted moral responsibility for the defeat, stating, “As the president of Assam Pradesh Congress, I accept the moral responsibility of this defeat.”
Despite his own loss, Gogoi affirmed that the party would persist in its ideological struggle, pledging to analyze the reasons behind the results, strengthen its organizational framework, and act as a constructive opposition by supporting beneficial measures while opposing harmful policies.