Congress Remains Hopeful for Alliance with Raijor Dal Ahead of Assam Elections
Alliance Talks Continue Despite Challenges
Guwahati, Mar 9: The Congress party is still optimistic about its stalled discussions with Raijor Dal, despite the regional party seemingly stepping back from negotiations as the Assam Assembly elections approach.
In light of the ongoing impasse regarding seat allocation, Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), stated on Monday that efforts to finalize an agreement with Raijor Dal are still underway.
“We are actively working towards concluding the alliance discussions with Raijor Dal and are hopeful for a favorable outcome. Our negotiations concerning seat sharing are nearing completion with the three parties we recently addressed at a press conference, and we await a formal announcement,” he mentioned during a joining event in New Delhi, where former AGP leader Jayanta Khaund officially joined the Congress.
Previously, Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi indicated that the discussions had faltered due to Congress's reluctance to give up the Dhing constituency in Nagaon district.
In response to the recent confiscation of nearly 10 lakh pamphlets in Guwahati and the arrest of four Congress members by Dispur Police, Gogoi accused the state government of acting out of fear.
“There’s a perception that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is a formidable leader. However, he seems so intimidated by a few pamphlets that our materials were seized. These pamphlets merely highlight the BJP government's failure to deliver on its promises to the people of Assam,” he asserted.
Gogoi further claimed that such actions signify a decline in democratic practices within the state.
“Do they believe that confiscating pamphlets will prevent people from learning the truth? These anti-democratic measures illustrate why the public no longer supports Sarma as Chief Minister. Democracy is compromised when even campaign materials are seized,” he stated.
Khaund expressed his commitment to contributing to the party's national development efforts.
“The Congress has always aimed for national progress, and I will strive to support their initiatives for the country's development,” he remarked.
Senior Congress figure Jitendra Singh noted that Khaund joined the party without any preconditions and could be considered for a candidacy if the Central Election Committee deems him a strong contender.
Earlier, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, designated as the observer for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, met with Gaurav Gogoi in New Delhi to assess election preparations.
After their meeting, Shivakumar informed reporters that discussions regarding the party's election strategy took place, and he was heading to the Congress office for further discussions.
“Today’s meeting focused on the Assam elections, and I am now proceeding to the Congress office,” he stated.
Additionally, the Congress has appointed three new secretaries to the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), enhancing the party's organizational framework ahead of the elections.
As per an official announcement from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has sanctioned the appointments of Palash Pawan Saikia, Dipankar Bora, and Johnson Sangma as secretaries of the APCC, effective immediately.
These new appointments will supplement the existing secretaries within the state party unit.