Reviving Connections with Assam’s Citizens
Biswanath, Oct 14: In a strategic move to re-establish ties with the populace of Assam prior to the 2026 Assembly elections, the president of the primary opposition party has initiated a comprehensive campaign titled “Raijor Poduli, Raijor Congress”.
This initiative, which draws inspiration from the earlier program during Tarun Gogoi’s tenure called “Raijor Podulit, Raijor Sarkar”, was officially launched by Gaurav Gogoi of the Assam Pradesh Congress. Committee (APCC) on Monday in Biswanath.
As part of this campaign, the party has kicked off a five-day awareness and protest initiative across 100 tea gardens in Assam, beginning at the Pratapgarh tea garden in the district.
Organized by the Assam Pradesh Tea Workers’ Tribal Congress Wing, this program aims to directly engage with the community to understand their concerns and enhance grassroots involvement throughout the state.
During the launch event, Gogoi emphasized that the Congress aims to bring politics back to the people’s doorsteps.
“We have initiated ‘Raijor Poduli, Raijor Congress’ to connect with every household and every garden. Our objective is to hear the people’s grievances and comprehend their issues firsthand. We Aspire to create a Congress that stands in solidarity with the citizens,” Gogoi stated.
He also took the opportunity to criticize the ruling BJP government, accusing them of marginalizing tea tribe leaders and neglecting their struggles.
“In the days of Congress, tea garden leaders spoke out boldly. However, under the BJP regime, they have become subdued. Our administration empowered the tea tribes politically. Today, those who once protested against injustice are silent, while workers face hunger,” Gogoi remarked.
He further alleged that under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, corruption and favoritism have overshadowed welfare initiatives in tea gardens.
“Since Himanta Biswa Sarma took office, the only topic of conversation in the gardens has been about which gardens ministers or their families have acquired. The ministers focus on property rather than the people,” he added.
Gogoi also criticized the BJP’s treatment of the tea community, asserting that the government has reduced them to mere “vote banks” while disregarding their genuine concerns.
Addressing the ongoing investigation into the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg, Gogoi expressed skepticism regarding the progress of the inquiry and highlighted public doubts about the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
“It has been almost a month since Zubeen Garg’s passing, and we still lack clarity on the circumstances. The government has raised murder allegations, yet we remain uninformed about the details. The people of Assam demands one thing today – justice for Zubeen Garg,” Gogoi stated, noting that the Congress has initiated a #JusticeForZubeenGarg campaign, with its MPs, MLAs, and leaders showing support for the late artist’s family.
In response to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s comments regarding the case, Gogoi asserted that political statements cannot substitute for proper legal proceedings.
“We will only declare that Zubeen Garg has received justice when his family is satisfied and the court convicts the guilty. The Chief Minister’s press conferences do not serve as evidence. If the police fail to collect sufficient evidence, the accused may evade justice once again,” he concluded.
