Akhil Gogoi, the leader of the Raijor Dal and MLA from Sivasagar, has accused the Congress party of exploiting smaller parties to strengthen its position in constituencies where it has historically struggled. Speaking at a recent press conference, Gogoi voiced dissatisfaction with what he termed as Congress’s “opportunistic approach” to electoral politics, urging opposition unity ahead of Assam’s upcoming panchayat elections.
Gogoi stressed the importance of a collective strategy, emphasizing that unified efforts in the panchayat polls could pave the way for defeating the BJP in the 2026 assembly elections. “If we fight the panchayat polls together, the workers of all 16 opposition parties will unite, creating a strong alliance to challenge the BJP’s dominance,” he stated.
The Raijor Dal chief accused the Congress of prioritizing its own interests over the broader opposition alliance, particularly by refusing to make necessary compromises. “Congress is simply using us to improve its position in constituencies where it has failed miserably, but they refuse to sacrifice seats for the alliance,” Gogoi said, criticizing the party’s election strategy.
Directly addressing senior Congress leaders such as Bhupen Borah, Gaurav Gogoi, Pradyut Bordoloi, and Rakibul Hussain, Gogoi demanded clarity on Congress’s intentions for the panchayat elections. “Is Congress going solo, or will it work towards the unity of the Assam opposition alliance?” he asked, underscoring the need for a clear strategy.
Observers see the upcoming panchayat elections as a litmus test for the opposition’s ability to coordinate effectively and build grassroots momentum. The outcome of these elections could significantly influence the opposition’s readiness to challenge the BJP in the 2026 assembly elections, making this a critical juncture for Assam’s political landscape.