Guwahati: Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi has called for a united opposition front ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, asserting that a consolidated vote is essential to “restore a democratic atmosphere” in the state.
Addressing the media, Gogoi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of concentrating power and alleged that Assam had been turned into an “autocratic state”.
He said rebuilding democratic institutions would require coordinated political action and urged voters to back opposition parties to bring about change.
Gogoi also raised the issue of justice for Zubeen Garg, describing him as a major cultural figure whose death, he claimed, had not been adequately addressed through legal processes. He said a future government should consider steps such as filing a fresh chargesheet, setting up a new court and ensuring a day-to-day trial.
Criticising the BJP’s governance model, he alleged that it was rooted in communal politics and could hamper long-term development. He outlined an alternative approach centred on strengthening agriculture and promoting rural industries, including year-round cultivation and the establishment of small-scale enterprises in villages to generate employment.
He also spoke of the need for skill development initiatives to equip people with professional capabilities and encourage innovation in the state’s economy.
Expressing confidence in the opposition’s prospects, Gogoi said it could secure a decisive mandate, claiming that a majority of seats would go to non-BJP parties in the upcoming elections.