Skip to content Skip to navigation

Sarma-Gogoi patch up raises poll hopes

By AT News |

A sudden patch-up between Tarun Gogoi and Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma seems to have revived the hope of Congress hardly a year ahead of the assembly polls.

Sources available with Assam Times say that the chief minister is believed to have been in constant touch with his former cabinet colleague for the last couple of days to refurbish the image of the ruling party. Even Gogoi is keen to re-induct Dr Sarma in his council of ministers shortly.  

The duo have mended the differences acting on a slew of suggestions they received from the editor in chief of a satellite news channel. The top journalist is further learnt to have tapped KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi to sharpen the attack on BJP.

The former powerful minister has already started taking on Sarbananda Sonowal over the SAF Games. Dr Sarma dared Union sports minister to uplift the sports infrastructure.  

According to senior party leaders, “Dr Sarma has come out to rescue the chief minister who has drawn no less criticism for his doubtful sincerity on the sports event.” 

Apart from his scathing attack on BJP, the KMSS leader has also agreed to field some of his candidates to mar BJP’s poll prospects. It would take time for Akhil Gogoi to implement the strategy as the ruling party has yet to ascertain the Achilles hills. 

“Once the roadmap is finalised KMSS would indirectly help us elect our candidates. His role will help us divide the anti Congress sentiments. KMSS will pull support from traditional AGP voters along with a section of people who have lost faith on BJP after the Centre’s faux pas in the Indo-Bangla land deal and big dams,” said a senior Congress leader who refused to be named.  

The ruling party further hopes to strike advantage of the internal bickering in BJP apart from the non performance of the Asom Gana Parishad. 

Only after these equations, the chief minister agreed to contest the next assembly polls early next year despite the age hurdle. 

“If the party manages to cross the halfway mark it would be able to retain power with support from either BPF or AIUDF. Then Dr Sarma would be allowed to play a high voltage role in the Congress legislative party where dissidence is already over,” said another senior Congress leader.    

Thus the ruling party is preparing a blueprint to keep BJP at bay in the next assembly polls since AGP is no longer a party to be reckoned with.  

 

 

  • 12344 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Indigenous Groups Condemn Police Atrocities, Demand Justice and Constitutional Safeguards

Indigenous leaders of Assam have strongly condemned what they described as "barbaric atrocities" by Assam Police on members of the Koch-Rajbanshi community at Golokganj in Dhubri district on September 10. They demanded an impartial judicial inquiry and strict action against the culprits, urging the state to ensure that such incidents are not repeated when communities raise their democratic rights. At the same press conference, the leaders also expressed outrage over the detention of Bhanu Tatak — a young activist and legal advisor of the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum — at Delhi’s international airport on September 7. Tatak, who had been invited to Dublin City University in Ireland for...

Anubhuti & Emon present healing tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in Kolkata

Mumbai: The never-say-die soul of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika enjoyed yet another acme of glory when millions of people across the globe remembered him on his birth centenary on 8th September. From Assam and Kolkata to the capital Delhi, from India’s downtown Mumbai to Bengaluru, the Bard of Brahmaputra came alive with his songs and rhymes. On 8th September, renowned music therapist and performer Anubhuti Goswami, along with her husband and multi-instrumentalist Emon Goswami, presented a soulful tribute to the legend Dr. Bhupen Hazarika as part of the birth centenary celebrations in Kolkata. The duo performed at the Assam Bhawan, organized by the Kolkata Assamese Cultural Association,...

Clashes Erupt in Churachandpur Ahead of PM Modi’s Visit

Clashes broke out in Churachandpur district on Thursday evening, barely two days before the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Manipur, throwing the administration into a state of heightened alert. The incident occurred near Peasonmun village, situated about five kilometres from the Churachandpur police station, when a group of unidentified persons allegedly attempted to damage decorations and arrangements being put up for the Prime Minister’s public engagement. Police personnel who rushed to the spot were confronted by the miscreants, following which a scuffle ensued. Reports indicate that several properties suffered damage during the course of the incident. While...

Lumding Honors Naga Woman T. Machapakla Ao, Founder of Assamese School; Plans Statue Installation Amid Assam Sahitya Sabha Criticism

A heartfelt felicitation ceremony was held in Lumding to honor Naga woman Mrs. T. Machapakla Ao, the visionary founder of the Assamese medium school in the town. The event, organized by the fortnightly publication Matir Manuh, celebrated her pivotal role in establishing the school in 1956—a milestone in Lumding’s educational history. Prominent speakers at the event included Rajkumar Baishya (Chief Editor, Matir Manuh), Deepak Mena (Executive President), Minati Sharma (Director Member), Prashant Hatimota (General Secretary), Sujata Sharma (Social Media Secretary), Anup Arandhara (Secretary, Mung-Dun-Chung Kham, Assam, NE India), Dr. T. Lima Jamir (President, Nagaland Indigenous People’s...

Assam’s Eviction Drive: When Democracy Becomes a Tool for Fear

In recent years, Assam has witnessed a series of eviction drives that have displaced thousands, predominantly targeting Muslims of East Bengali origin. These individuals, often referred to as 'Miyas', have faced allegations of being 'illegal immigrants' despite possessing valid Indian documentation. The state's actions have raised concerns about the underlying motives and the implications for democracy and human rights. Political Motive Behind Evictions Experts argue that these eviction drives are strategically timed ahead of elections to create a divisive narrative. The ruling BJP is accused of attempting to foster a Hindu-Muslim divide, with some local organizations already holding...

Karbi Leader Detained for Demanding Eviction of ‘Illegal Settlers’

In a move that has sparked anger and unease, police in Diphu have detained Karbi youth leader and social activist Lichong Rongphar for spearheading protests demanding eviction of alleged illegal settlers from VGR (Village Grazing Reserve) and PGR (Professional Grazing Reserve) lands in Karbi Anglong. The irony is stark: while Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s government is carrying out aggressive eviction drives in the plains—Lakhimpur, Dhubri, Goalpara and Uriamghat—similar demands raised in Karbi Anglong are being met with police crackdowns instead of action. Rongphar had been leading a series of mass protests, insisting that Bengali and Bihari settlers occupying VGR and PGR...

Bhupen Hazarika’s Kuthori Residence Handed Over to Locals for Preservation

On the auspicious occasion of the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the Assam government has handed over the legendary singer’s neglected residence at Kuthori, Kaziranga, to local residents for preservation. For the past five years, the house—once vibrant with the maestro’s harmonium, tabla, and compositions—had fallen into disrepair, leaving fans and admirers disheartened. Although the government had acquired the property at a cost of ₹2.51 crore from Fatik Nyog five years ago, no concrete conservation efforts had been initiated since. Responding to repeated demands from villagers, the government announced today that the residence will be developed into a cultural...

USTM Pays Glowing Tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on 100th Birth Anniversary

The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) celebrated the 100th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika with a vibrant cultural programme at its Central Auditorium. Themed “Voice of Bhupen Hazarika: Voice of the People; Leading to a Harmonious Society,” the event featured visual presentations, floral tributes, and lively performances by students and faculty. Prasanta Rajguru, Editor-in-Chief of Prag News, delivered the keynote, highlighting five iconic songs of the maestro and their historical relevance. Actor Kamal Singh presented a special tribute performance, while dignitaries including Dr. Aparna Buzarbaruah graced the occasion. The celebration...

Pallas’s Cat Documented for the First Time in Arunachal Pradesh

In a landmark wildlife discovery, the elusive Pallas’s Cat has been documented for the first time in Arunachal Pradesh during an extensive high-altitude survey jointly conducted by the Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and WWF-India. The survey, carried out between July and September 2024, involved 136 camera traps across 2,000 sq km of rugged terrain in Tawang and West Kameng districts. It not only produced the first photographic record of Pallas’s Cat in the state, but also revealed the presence of five other wild cats — snow leopard, common leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, and marbled cat — at elevations above 4,200 metres...

Moran Community Launches 'Jatiya Gan Mancha' at Kakopathar Rally

In a historic gathering that marks a new chapter in Moran political mobilization, the Moran community today formally launched its new political platform, Jatiya Gan Mancha (National People’s Forum), at a mass assembly held at Kakopathar public ground. The event was convened under the aegis of leading Moran organizations, including the Assam Moran Sabha, All Moran Students’ Union, Moran Mahila Parishad, Moran Sahitya Sabha, Moran Art & Culture Development Centre, and the Moran National Educational Development Forum. The assembly commenced with ceremonial tributes to the community’s forebears, accompanied by devotional songs and cultural performances, setting a solemn and festive tone...