Raijor Dal President and MLA Akhil Gogoi on Friday, 7 August demanded the immediate removal of Assam Minister Bimal Borah as Guardian Minister of Sivasagar, alleging rampant irregularities and political favouritism in flood relief distribution across Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. Gogoi made the allegations while addressing reporters in Guwahati, calling for a transparent and impartial relief process under neutral authorities.

Key Allegations Against Minister Bimal Borah

Gogoi alleged that relief materials were channelled through Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers and party-affiliated ward members rather than through a fair, government-supervised mechanism. He further claimed that a BJP ward member misappropriated relief supplies intended for genuine flood victims. According to Gogoi, despite local residents exposing the alleged irregularity, no action was taken against the accused — and instead, the individual who raised the alarm was reportedly arrested.

The Raijor Dal leader also alleged that many deserving families were denied the ₹15,000 financial assistance announced by the Assam government for flood-affected households, while ineligible beneficiaries reportedly received the aid.

BJP Absent During Crisis, Claims Gogoi

Gogoi alleged that BJP leaders were conspicuously absent during the initial and most critical days of the floods, when residents were struggling without support. He claimed that Raijor Dal workers stepped in to conduct rescue and relief operations during that period, and that BJP functionaries joined relief efforts only after the activities began attracting public attention and media coverage.

Demand for Neutral Beneficiary Selection

Questioning the broader implementation of the state's flood relief programme, Gogoi urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to ensure that beneficiary lists are prepared exclusively by neutral authorities — including village headmen, ward members, or government officials — rather than political party workers. He maintained that similar complaints of politically motivated relief distribution had surfaced from several other flood-hit districts across Assam.

What Raijor Dal Is Demanding

Holding Minister Bimal Borah directly accountable for the alleged lapses in Sivasagar and Charaideo, Gogoi called for his immediate removal as Guardian Minister. He also demanded that the state government initiate a fresh, impartial distribution drive to ensure all eligible flood-affected families receive the assistance they are entitled to. The Assam government has not yet responded publicly to these allegations. With flood season still ongoing, the political pressure on the administration over relief management is likely to intensify.