Former Assam Assembly Speaker and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Hitendra Nath Goswami on Monday, 27 July defended his decision to remain abroad during the recent flood crisis in Upper Assam, asserting that he stayed in continuous contact with district officials, party workers, and local representatives throughout his overseas stay and closely monitored conditions in his Jorhat constituency from abroad.

What Goswami Said

Speaking to reporters at the Assam Legislative Assembly in Guwahati, Goswami explained that his foreign trip had been planned in advance to assist his daughter with her PhD admission process. He said he had obtained the required permissions before departure and had informed the relevant authorities that he would return in time for the ongoing Assembly session.

'When I left the country, there was no indication that the situation in Jorhat would deteriorate to this extent. The conditions were normal at that time, and I believed that even if there were rainfall, the water would recede quickly,' Goswami said.

Why He Did Not Return Early

Responding to criticism over not cutting short his visit, Goswami argued that an immediate return was not practically feasible, as it would have required cancelling existing travel arrangements and purchasing new tickets at very short notice, resulting in substantial financial losses. He maintained that his physical absence did not impede relief efforts in the constituency.

'I was constantly speaking to the Deputy Commissioner and party volunteers. Relief work continued without interruption, and I kept myself informed about every major development,' he said. He added that the flood situation in Jorhat has now largely stabilised, and he has been permitted to visit the constituency after Assembly proceedings to review ground conditions and relief measures.

The Political Context

Goswami, who defeated Congress state President Gaurav Gogoi in the Jorhat Assembly seat in this year's election, has been at the centre of a controversy after sections of the Opposition questioned the timing of his foreign visit while several parts of Upper Assam were battling what critics described as one of the worst flood situations in recent years.

Rejecting allegations that he abandoned his constituency during the crisis, Goswami said he has always preferred to work quietly rather than court media attention. 'I have never believed in publicity. My focus has always been on serving the people. The residents of Jorhat know my work, and they have not complained against me,' he said.

An Emotional Response

The BJP legislator turned visibly emotional during the press interaction. At one point, he paused briefly and wiped tears from his eyes before continuing to answer reporters' questions — a moment that drew attention amid the sustained questioning over his absence during the floods.

What Happens Next

Goswami is expected to visit Jorhat after the conclusion of the current Assembly session to assess the flood damage and relief operations on the ground. The broader question of elected representatives' accountability during natural disasters — particularly their physical presence in affected constituencies — is likely to remain a point of political debate in Assam as the flood season continues.