Akhil Gogoi targets Congress MP Rakibul Hussain over 477% asset rise
Synopsis
Raijor Dal's Akhil Gogoi has turned publicly available election affidavits into a political weapon, alleging a 477% rise in Congress MP Rakibul Hussain's declared assets since 2016. The attack lands amid a broken opposition alliance — and reveals how Assam's fractured anti-BJP bloc is now fighting on two fronts simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi alleged on 4 September that Congress MP Rakibul Hussain's declared assets rose 477% between 2016 and 2024 .
Hussain's declared assets reportedly grew from ₹4.38 crore to ₹25.29 crore — an increase of ₹20.91 crore — according to election affidavits cited by Gogoi.
Election affidavits do not by themselves establish wrongdoing or prove an illegal source of wealth.
Rakibul Hussain represents the Dhubri constituency in the Lok Sabha , having won in the 2024 general election.
The attack follows the breakdown of the Raijor Dal–Congress opposition alliance in Assam .
Hussain's response to the allegations was not immediately available.
Raijor Dal chief and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on 4 September alleged a dramatic surge in the declared assets of Congress MP Rakibul Hussain, claiming the Dhubri lawmaker's disclosed wealth jumped from ₹4.38 crore in 2016 to ₹25.29 crore in 2024 — a rise of roughly 477 per cent over eight years. Gogoi publicly linked the increase to the tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Assam and questioned the source of the wealth.
What Gogoi Alleged
Citing election affidavits filed by Hussain, Gogoi said the declared assets grew by ₹20.91 crore over the eight-year period. He framed the charge directly at the state administration: 'During Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's tenure, listen to the untold story of the phenomenal rise in the assets of MP Rakibul Hussain,' Gogoi said while raising the issue.
It is important to note that election affidavits reflect assets declared by candidates at the time of filing nominations. Such declarations do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing or indicate an illegal source of wealth. Any determination of impropriety would require scrutiny of underlying financial and asset records.
Who Is Rakibul Hussain
Rakibul Hussain is a prominent Congress leader in Assam, elected to the Lok Sabha from the Dhubri constituency in the 2024 general election. His response to Gogoi's allegations was not immediately available.
The Fractured Opposition Backdrop
Gogoi's attack comes amid a significant deterioration in relations between Raijor Dal and the Congress in Assam. The two parties had previously joined hands as part of an opposition alliance to challenge the BJP, but that arrangement has since collapsed, with Congress formally breaking ties with Raijor Dal.
Notably, this is not an isolated episode — Gogoi has repeatedly criticised the Congress leadership in Assam over political and organisational matters since the alliance broke down. The Congress, in turn, has maintained its distance from the Raijor Dal.
Political Implications
The targeting of a senior Congress figure using publicly available affidavit data adds a new dimension to the widening rift within Assam's opposition bloc. Analysts observe that Gogoi's move simultaneously pressures the Congress and draws attention to the BJP-led state government, positioning Raijor Dal as an independent accountability voice ahead of the next round of political contests in the state.
With Hussain yet to respond and no formal investigation announced, the controversy is likely to intensify the political confrontation between the two former allies in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Not verified income, and a rising asset figure alone proves nothing without forensic scrutiny. What the episode really exposes is the collapse of Assam's opposition unity: a former ally is now doing the BJP's work for it by targeting Congress in public. For Raijor Dal, positioning itself as an independent accountability force may play well with voters disillusioned by both major formations — but it also risks being seen as opportunistic in the absence of any formal complaint or investigation.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Akhil Gogoi alleged against Rakibul Hussain?
Gogoi has alleged that Congress MP Rakibul Hussain's declared assets surged approximately 477% — from ₹4.38 crore in 2016 to ₹25.29 crore in 2024 — based on election affidavits filed by Hussain. He has questioned the source of this increase and linked it to the BJP government's tenure in Assam.
Do election affidavits prove financial wrongdoing?
No. Election affidavits disclose assets declared by candidates at the time of filing nominations and do not by themselves establish wrongdoing or confirm an illegal source of wealth. Determining impropriety would require examination of underlying financial and asset records.
Who is Rakibul Hussain?
Rakibul Hussain is a senior Congress leader in Assam who was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Dhubri constituency in the 2024 general election. He had not responded to Gogoi's allegations at the time of reporting.
Why has Raijor Dal turned against Congress in Assam?
Raijor Dal and Congress had formed an opposition alliance to challenge the BJP in Assam, but the partnership has since broken down, with Congress formally severing ties with Raijor Dal. Gogoi has repeatedly criticised Congress leadership since the split, and this latest attack is seen as an escalation of that political confrontation.
What is the political significance of this controversy?
The episode highlights the fragmentation of Assam's opposition bloc ahead of future electoral contests. Gogoi's move targets both the Congress and indirectly the BJP-led state government, positioning Raijor Dal as an independent accountability voice — though no formal investigation has been announced.
