Assam polls: Gaurav Gogoi, Akhil attack Himanta Biswa Sarma and Asaduddin Owaisi over religious politics

By: Bijoy Sharma
DHUBRI: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, terming him a “hypocrite”.

“Sarma claims to be a saviour of Hindus, but gives ticket to an individual who has links to the cattle syndicate and is now paying back the debt using money collected from the illegal network,” Gaurav charged.

He was addressing a poll rally at Kamlajhar village for party’s candidates, Baby Begum from Dhubri and Sobhan Ali Sarkar from Gauripur constituency.




Gaurav said Sarma painted himself as a follower of Sanatan dharma, and in contrast, liquor shops licences are being issued in Assam. “ How can a Sanatani collect money from cattle and liquor syndicates?” Gaurav questioned.

He came down heavily on AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and said home minister Amit Shah brought Owaisi to Assam to support AIUDF.

“It is now clear to the people that AIUDF is BJP’s ‘B’ team in Assam and elsewhere, Owaisi plays the same role,” Gaurav added. He also accused Himanta of protecting Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma in the Zubeen Garg case due to his personal connection with the accused.

Congress ally Raijor Dal has also named a candidate in Gauripur. Supporting the nominee, Abul Mian, Sivsagar legislator and party president Akhil Gogoi addressed a rally at Balajan.

In his speech, Akhil also accused BJP and AIUDF of indulging in politics on religious lines. “Himanta sent me to jail 16 times. If a Congress-led govt comes to power, he (Sarma) will be sent to jail 80 times,” Akhil added.