Akhil Gogoi has issued a fresh challenge to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma amid his indefinite protest over pending flood relief. The Raijor Dal president said he would call off the agitation if Sarma takes an oath at the Kamakhya temple over the government’s handling of the relief issue.
The challenge adds a sharp political dimension to the ongoing dispute over assistance for flood-affected families in Upper Assam. Gogoi has been demanding immediate release of pending financial aid, compensation for families that suffered major losses and accountability over the floods.
Akhil Gogoi escalates flood relief protest
Akhil Gogoi began an indefinite satyagraha on October 2 at the Assam Legislative Assembly premises in Guwahati. He launched the protest after the October 1 deadline set for the government to fulfil relief demands passed without, according to him, full payment reaching affected families.
The Sivasagar MLA has claimed that around 30 to 40 per cent of flood-affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat are yet to receive the promised Rs 15,000 interim assistance.
He has also alleged that affected families in Sivasagar and Charaideo have not received an additional Rs 10,000 special relief announced for severely affected areas. The government has not publicly accepted these figures as stated by Gogoi.
Akhil Gogoi links challenge to Kamakhya
Against this backdrop, Gogoi has challenged Sarma to take an oath at the Kamakhya temple regarding the government’s position on flood relief. He said that if the chief minister accepts the challenge, he would withdraw his protest.
The statement brings a religiously significant site into an already intense political confrontation. Kamakhya temple is one of Assam’s best-known religious landmarks, and the chief minister has previously spoken publicly about his association with the shrine.
In February, Sarma recalled a different political episode involving Kamakhya. He said that during the 2014 Congress leadership crisis, he had planned to take oath as chief minister after the Ambubachi Mela at the temple. Sarma said the plan changed after Rahul Gandhi intervened with phone calls to Congress leaders.
Akhil Gogoi demands more than interim aid
The present agitation goes beyond the release of the pending interim payment. Gogoi is also seeking Rs 10 lakh compensation for every family that suffered major losses in the floods across the four districts.
Additionally, he has called for a CBI inquiry into the causes of the devastating floods. His demands were raised at a public rally at Chachal Dharna Ground in Guwahati on September 23, where flood-affected people sought immediate assistance and longer-term compensation.
Gogoi has maintained that the protest will continue until the government addresses the demands. He has also written to Sarma, urging intervention over the pending payments.
Government response remains central
The challenge comes as the dispute over flood compensation continues to place pressure on the Assam government. Gogoi has accused the administration of failing to meet its stated relief timeline, while the government’s position on his latest allegations remains important to the wider debate.
As of the latest reports, no formal dialogue between Sarma and Gogoi over the fresh challenge had been publicly announced. Gogoi, meanwhile, has continued his sit-in at the Assembly premises.
Reports on October 4 quoted Gogoi as saying that the protest would remain in place until concrete action is taken on compensation and relief. He has argued that affected families cannot wait indefinitely for financial assistance.
Akhil Gogoi keeps pressure on Assam government
The Kamakhya challenge gives the agitation a new political edge, but the core issue remains flood relief. Gogoi is seeking action on payments, additional assistance and compensation for families affected by the disaster.
For the Assam government, the immediate task is to address questions surrounding pending relief while responding to the opposition leader’s allegations. Meanwhile, Gogoi has made clear that he intends to continue the pressure through his indefinite protest.
The next phase of the standoff will depend on whether the government opens a dialogue and provides a clear response to the demands. Until then, the Akhil Gogoi-led agitation remains focused on securing relief for flood-affected families.
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