'No Collaboration with Congress': Raijor Dal Leader Critiques Gaurav Gogoi's 'Arrogance' for Failed Negotiations
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Guwahati, March 8 (NationPress) Raijor Dal's President and Sivasagar MLA, Akhil Gogoi, announced on Sunday the official end of his party's partnership with the Congress as the Assam Assembly elections approach. He attributed this breakdown to the perceived "arrogance" of senior Congress figures Gaurav Gogoi and Rakibul Hussain, which he believes hindered seat-sharing negotiations.
During a press conference, Akhil Gogoi stated that the collapse of the alliance was mainly due to disputes over seat distribution, particularly concerning a solitary Assembly constituency.
He pointed out that despite numerous discussions, the Congress leadership did not uphold previous commitments made to his party.
"The Congress initially reached out to us with a proposal for collaboration and requested our backing. We only sought to contest in 15 Assembly constituencies, but they offered just nine seats, which was unacceptable to us," the Raijor Dal President remarked.
Additionally, he asserted that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) had previously indicated that the Dhing Assembly constituency would be assigned to Raijor Dal as part of the alliance.
Akhil Gogoi further claimed that senior Congress leader Pradyut Bordoloi had relayed the same assurance during the discussions.
"Both the AICC and Pradyut Bordoloi assured us that the Dhing Assembly seat would be allocated to our party. However, later on, Gaurav Gogoi and Rakibul Hussain denied this arrangement," alleged the Raijor Dal Chief.
According to Akhil Gogoi, the contention over the Dhing seat ultimately resulted in the breakdown of the proposed alliance.
He also accused Congress workers protesting in Dalgaon against the proposed alliance of acting not spontaneously, but under direct orders from the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).
"The protests by Congress workers in Dalgaon were orchestrated under the explicit instructions of APCC leadership," he asserted.
This development is perceived as a significant obstacle to the possibility of opposition unity in Assam as the critical Assembly elections loom, with efforts underway to create a more extensive alliance among anti-BJP factions in the state.
Following the collapse of negotiations, Raijor Dal is now anticipated to contest the elections independently.