Gogoi alleges BJP manipulating voter list to safeguard Himanta Biswa Sarma’s political control.
Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi alleges BJP is inflating voter rolls with outsiders ahead of Assembly elections, vows opposition unity (Photo: File)
NEW DELHI: Political temperatures are rising rapidly in Assam as, following the Bihar elections, major political parties have now turned their attention to the northeastern state. The Assam Congress has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting the Election Commission for its own political objectives. Escalating his attack, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi strongly criticized the BJP government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
On Wednesday, Gogoi alleged that the Chief Minister is attempting to add names of individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to the Assam voter list in an effort to protect his political position. The state is slated to hold its Assembly elections next year, most likely between mid-March and April. While addressing a gathering in Duburi, Gogoi asserted that the people of Assam do not support Sarma and that he has become a serious burden for the BJP. Consequently, he claimed, the ruling party is attempting to include names of non-residents in the voter database.
His comments come at a time when the Election Commission has initiated a Special Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll using January 1, 2026, as the base date. This revision aims to ensure that the voter list is clean, accurate, and up to date. Moreover, the Congress leader urged political parties, media platforms, and organizations dedicated to Assamese interests to remain alert so that voters from outside the state are prevented from participating in the upcoming elections. He stressed that the Congress is contesting the polls not just to increase its seat tally but to form the government and safeguard the rights and interests of the people of Assam.
Gogoi further alleged that Chief Minister Sarma is dealing with an internal crisis and has reached out to AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal for assistance. He also suggested that AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi might soon visit Assam to support Sarma. Gogoi stated that in terms of election preparations and forming alliances, the opposition is currently well ahead of the BJP. Strengthening this momentum, eight opposition parties in Assam—Congress, CPI(M), Raijor Dal, Asom Jatiya Parishad, CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, Jatiya Dal-Assam (JDA), and the Karbi Anglong-based All Party Hill Leaders Conference (APHLC) have decided to contest next year's Assembly elections collectively
