Guwahati: With Assembly elections approaching, the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has launched several initiatives, including the distribution of Rs 9,000 among women, the inauguration of flyovers, and announcements regarding wages for tea garden workers.
Reacting to these developments, Pawan Khera, Chairman of the Media and Communications Department of the All India Congress Committee, addressed a press conference at Hotel Lily in Guwahati during his visit to Assam for organisational work. Khera alleged that the BJP government prioritises its own interests and those of the Chief Minister’s family over public welfare.
He said that several final examinations, including the matriculation exams, are currently being held in Assam. He remarked that students who do not study throughout the year often begin preparing seriously only two or three days before the examinations, and alleged that the BJP government in the state, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, was now in a similar situation.
Khera also criticised the government for circulating AI-generated images on social media, claiming improvements in Assam’s road infrastructure. “Himanta Biswa Sarma is a ‘Galgotia Chief Minister’. He claims Assam’s roads have improved through AI, yet Assam still ranks third in the country in terms of poor road conditions,” he said, drawing a comparison with a controversy involving Galgotias University.
He further questioned the handling of the case of singer Zubeen Garg, stating that despite a reportedly watertight charge sheet, the court had to order the unfreezing of the accused’s bank account.
Expressing confidence in the opposition, Khera said that under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and its allies would form the next government and establish a “new Assam model,” which he claimed would benefit every citizen. In contrast, he alleged that the “Gujarat model” favoured only a few individuals.
Khera also raised concerns about the Chief Minister’s frequent night trips to Odisha and alleged that investments linked to him exist both within Assam and abroad. Criticising government expenditure on publicity, he claimed that over Rs 500 crore is spent annually on banners and campaigns featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Himanta.
Highlighting what he described as a pattern of betrayal, Khera cited incidents involving former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and former Congress leader Tarun Gogoi. He also criticised the renaming of the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital.
During the press conference, Khera questioned reports that Himanta Biswa Sarma had met Maulana Dewan Mohammad Saidur Rahman Sisti Saidabadi in Dhaka before joining the BJP, alleging that the cleric influenced the decision.
On political alliances, Khera stated that the Congress organisation in Assam remains strong but acknowledged that alliances are sometimes necessary to counter a party with significant wealth and administrative control.
Referring to a social media post by Gaurav Gogoi regarding Raijor Dal, Khera remarked that it contained punctuation marks but “no full stop yet.” He also commented on the diminishing effect of the “Modi magic” in other states.
Explaining why voters should support Congress, Khera likened the party to an old, reliable shop providing quality and honesty, contrasting it with flashy new options. “Congress,” he said, “is that reliable old shop.”
The press conference was attended by senior Vice-Presidents of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, former MLAs Pranoy Rabha and Naba Talukdar, and Social Media Department Chairman Rituparna Konwar.
The session was conducted by Bedabrat Bora, Chairman of the Media and Communications Department of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.