Guwahati: Guwahati witnessed a significant political buzz today as Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, alongside All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge, arrived to kick-start a crucial strategic tour aimed at galvanising the party ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. Their arrival at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBI) at approximately 10:30 AM was met with a warm traditional Assamese cultural welcome, with Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi and other senior state leaders in attendance. This high-stakes visit marks a pivotal moment for the Congress, as it endeavours to re-establish its strong footing and revive its grassroots presence in a state it once dominated for decades.
Throughout the day, a series of high-level closed-door meetings were on the agenda for Kharge and Gandhi. The initial session involved the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) and the APCC’s top brass, where discussions delved into core electoral strategies, potential alliance formations, and critical organisational reforms. Subsequently, the leaders engaged with various party functionaries, including MPs, MLAs, district unit presidents, and representatives from frontal organisations, a move designed to energise the cadre and gather ground-level insights for the impending 2026 campaign. Beyond internal deliberations, the duo also held interactions with members of prominent social and cultural organisations across Assam, signaling a broader outreach to civil society in the run-up to the elections.
The day’s political crescendo is anticipated to be a massive rally of Congress workers in Chaygaon, where both Kharge and Gandhi are slated to address thousands of party members from Block Congress Committees and surrounding areas. Their speeches are expected to sharply criticise the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments at both the state and central levels, focusing on pressing issues such as inflation, rampant youth unemployment, and alleged governance shortcomings. Party insiders are keenly watching this rally, viewing it as a significant morale booster and a clear demonstration of the high command’s unwavering commitment to revitalising the Congress’s electoral prospects in Assam.
Interestingly, the timing of the visit also coincided with a recent directive from the Guwahati Police, issued just yesterday, which prohibits rallies and public gatherings that obstruct road traffic within the city limits. While the Congress rally is scheduled outside Guwahati, the police order has certainly drawn attention and is perceived by some as a subtle attempt to influence political gatherings, especially during high-profile visits of this nature. Despite this, the mood within Congress ranks remains notably upbeat. Leaders and workers alike are expressing renewed confidence in the party leadership, particularly following recent changes in the state party organisation, and are hopeful that this visit will indeed mark a turning point for the Grand Old Party in Assam. Kharge and Gandhi are expected to conclude their one-day tour and depart from LGBI Airport in the evening.
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