Lakhimpur (Assam), 29 March (HS): The Congress party stepped up its election campaign in Assam with a massive rally at Kharkati near the Ranganadi bridge in Naoboicha, where AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge announced five key guarantees for the 2026 Assembly elections while launching a sharp attack on the ruling BJP.
Addressing a large gathering, Kharge outlined the party’s promises, including ₹50,000 unconditional financial assistance to every woman for business, free health insurance coverage of ₹25 lakh per family, land pattas for 10 lakh indigenous people, justice in the case of Zubeen Garg within 100 days and a monthly pension of ₹1,250 for senior citizens.
Kharge said the manifesto was prepared after extensive consultations with the public and accused the BJP government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of betraying the people. He alleged that despite the 2021 elections being fought under Sarbananda Sonowal, the Chief Minister’s post was later “snatched away,” questioning the BJP’s internal leadership decisions.
Launching a scathing attack, Kharge claimed that governance in the country and Assam was dominated by corruption, using the phrase “Ali Baba and forty thieves” to describe the political situation. He also accused Sarma of abandoning the Congress after rising through its ranks and betraying leaders like Tarun Gogoi.
Urging voters to reject what he called divisive politics, Kharge appealed to the electorate to support Congress and form a new government under APCC President Gaurav Gogoi. He asserted that Congress has a track record of delivering on guarantees in states like Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
Speaking at the rally, Gaurav Gogoi described the upcoming election as a fight to “save Assam” and alleged that the BJP government had failed on multiple fronts, including corruption land issues and governance. He also claimed that despite administrative hurdles, including difficulties in helicopter landing, the strong turnout reflected public support for Congress.
Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of betraying both Tarun Gogoi and Sarbananda Sonowal and criticized personal attacks against his family. He further alleged that the BJP and AIUDF were “two sides of the same coin,” claiming that AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal had already been politically weakened.
Asom Jatiya Parishad President Lurinjyoti Gogoi also addressed the gathering, predicting a wave of political change in Assam. He said people were determined to oust the BJP for “deceiving the state for the past 10 years” and accused the ruling party of failing to protect Assam’s cultural and constitutional values.
Congress election observer Bantu Tirkey and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also addressed the rally, urging voters to ensure a decisive mandate in favour of Congress candidates.
The rally witnessed participation from thousands of supporters across multiple districts, along with leaders from allied parties, marking a significant show of strength as the election campaign intensifies in the state.-----------
Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
