In a dramatic political development in Assam, former Congress leader Kandarpa Kalita resigned from the party and launched a scathing attack on state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi. Speaking to reporters, Kalita accused Gogoi of treating party workers as “servants” and claimed he lacks any genuine sense of Assamese nationalism. The resignation comes at a time when the Congress in Assam is attempting to reorganise ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, making Kalita’s remarks all the more significant in the state’s political landscape.
Allegations of Disrespect Toward Grassroots Leaders
Kalita alleged that Gogoi undermines senior party leaders and disregards the contributions of grassroots workers. “Gaurav Gogoi thinks Congress workers are his servants. This attitude has created deep resentment among party members,” Kalita said. The former leader highlighted that the Congress party’s functioning has alienated long-standing members who feel sidelined in decision-making processes. According to Kalita, such behaviour erodes trust within the party and hampers its ability to build a strong organizational base in Assam.
Accusations of Lacking Assamese Nationalism
Kalita also criticized Gogoi for failing to demonstrate a commitment to Assam’s regional interests. He stated that Gogoi has no sense of Assamese nationalism and accused him of making hollow promises under the guise of justice. Referring to recent political discussions involving popular singer Zubeen Garg, Kalita alleged that Gogoi has been issuing false assurances of justice to gain political mileage. “Gaurav Gogoi is going around promising justice for Zubeen Garg, but these are nothing but false assurances meant to mislead people,” Kalita said, further emphasizing his concerns over Gogoi’s leadership approach.
Internal Power Struggles and Party Dynamics
In a further critique, Kalita described Gogoi as a “lora raja” or young king, suggesting that he behaves with entitlement within the party. Kalita also alleged that the Congress in Assam is currently under the influence of senior leader Rakibul Hussain, claiming that Hussain’s control overshadows the state unit’s functioning. “At present, Congress in Assam is functioning like ‘Congress (R)’, where Rakibul Hussain’s rule is prevailing,” Kalita remarked. While the Congress party has not officially responded to these allegations, political analysts suggest that Kalita’s resignation exposes deeper internal tensions and factionalism within the Assam Congress, which could impact the party’s strategy and cohesion ahead of the elections.
