Guwahati, 12th April: In a recent development leading up to the Assam Lok Sabha elections of 2024, Akhil Gogoi, the leader of the Raijor Dal party, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of blackmailing women in the state.
Addressing the media, the Sivsagar MLA alleged, “The state government is providing Orunodoi from whose money? The money is of the state, hence the form should bear the photo of the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar but the form should have the photo of PM Modi. The government has taken out fake forms.”
Gogoi further asserted that the state government has engaged in three dubious practices: issuing fake Orunodoi forms, blackmailing women by inviting them to BJP meetings disguised as Self-Help Group (SHG) meetings, and promising Rs 10,000 in exchange for clicking a photo.
He also claimed that in the Assam Legislative Assembly, it was decided that every female with a ration card would be provided with the Orunodoi scheme, questioning the necessity of voting only for the BJP.
Additionally, Gogoi pointed out that the Election Commission of India had instructed SHGs to pledge to cast their votes in an awareness program, but alleged that many BJP workers coerced SHGs into pledging their votes for the BJP in the upcoming LS polls.
In a direct challenge to Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Gogoi warned, “Himanta Biswa Sarma, you have been doing major unconstitutional things in the state in the run-up to the election and for saying this if you want to put me behind bars you can or even encounter.”
Gogoi urged people to vote for opposition unity candidates, warning that the BJP might lead the country into religious fundamentalism. He criticized the Modi government for allegedly selling off the country’s assets, leading to reduced employment and increased commodity prices, equating BJP governance with price rise, fundamentalism, and privatization.
Calling for votes for Gaurav Gogoi and Lurinjyoti Gogoi for the protection of the country, Gogoi criticized Tapan Gogoi’s Lok Sabha performance due to his perceived lack of language and subject matter knowledge.
He also shared his developmental works in Sivasagar, including the construction of 21 Model Anganwadi Centers, a paddy procurement center, and plans for a ground house project, refuting the chief minister’s claim of Sivasagar people’s regret over his victory.
As of now, the BJP has not responded to these allegations.
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