Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, and APCC President Gaurav Gogoi attend election rally in support of Meera Borthakur in Dispur

By Dalim Phukan

Guwahati, Mar  30 : After attending a massive election rally in Naoboicha, Lakhimpur, addressed by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, APCC President Gaurav Gogoi proceeded directly to Guwahati and, in yesterday evening, took part in an election campaign meeting in Dispur in support of Congress candidate Meera Borthakur. Along with Gogoi, several senior Congress leaders were present, including Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

Addressing the gathering, D. K. Shivakumar said that the Congress works to take all sections of society forward equally, whereas the BJP creates divisions among people and pollutes the environment through communal politics. He further stated that in the last 10 years, the BJP government has failed to properly fulfil even one of its election promises. Questioning the “double engine” government, he asked why it could not grant ST status to six communities despite repeated assurances.

Expressing confidence in Meera Borthakur’s victory in Dispur, Shivakumar remarked that the BJP candidate in the constituency had earlier prepared a chargesheet against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He challenged that the allegations in that chargesheet should be discussed with the Chief Minister. He also emphasized that Congress fulfils its promises, citing the successful implementation of five guarantees in Karnataka. Referring to the five guarantees announced by Mallikarjun Kharge in Lakhimpur, he assured that they would be implemented in letter and spirit if a government is formed under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi.

The senior leader also expressed sorrow over the condition of the burial site of Zubeen Garg, stating that he was not just a singer but the voice of Assam and its people. He said he felt fortunate to visit the site, but lamented that it is located far from central Guwahati and would have been better if it were within the city.

Speaking at the meeting, APCC President Gaurav Gogoi alleged that the BJP government is engaging in intimidation politics in the name of welfare schemes for women. He claimed that women receive calls threatening that their benefits would be cut off if they do not attend BJP meetings or listen to the Prime Minister’s “Mann Ki Baat.” He asserted that it is the duty of the government to provide benefits to people and not to condition them on attendance at party events.

He further clarified that welfare schemes existed earlier and will continue in the future, but under a Congress government, they would be improved and delivered without any political conditions. He stated that the funds for such schemes belong neither to the BJP nor to Himanta Biswa Sarma, but are collected from public taxes and must be distributed without discrimination.

Highlighting the Congress party’s five guarantees, Gogoi said that under a Congress government, women in Assam would be provided ₹50,000 each to support small businesses and self-employment. He added that a separate department would be created for senior citizens’ welfare, along with a monthly pension of ₹1,250. He also promised free health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh, land pattas for 10 lakh indigenous people, and justice within 100 days in the Zubeen Garg case.

Gogoi criticized Himanta Biswa Sarma, stating that his words carry no value and accusing him of opportunism. He remarked that the political battle in Assam is not between Congress and BJP, but between “old tainted Congress” and the “real Congress.”

Stating that people of Assam now want an end to “dirty politics,” Gaurav Gogoi appealed to all citizens to vote for the Congress on April 9 to free the state from such politics.