The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice president Mehedi Alam Bora issued a strong rebuttal on April 20 against Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi’s recent remarks on the Congress party’s internal dynamics. Bora stated that Gogoi had no moral or political right to interfere in Congress affairs and accused him of deliberately sowing confusion among voters ahead of the Panchayat elections.
Bora addressed reporters in Guwahati and expressed dismay over Gogoi’s public criticism of Congress leadership and strategy. He maintained that the Congress party functions with transparency and collective decision-making, unlike what Gogoi implied. Bora emphasized that Gogoi’s attempts to portray himself as a political messiah were nothing but publicity stunts aimed at derailing the opposition unity in the state.
He added that the Congress has faced and overcome many challenges over the decades and does not require unsolicited advice from leaders outside the party fold. Bora accused Gogoi of playing into the hands of the BJP by trying to divide the opposition and asserted that the Congress would continue its fight against communalism and divisive politics with or without Gogoi’s support.
Referring to Gogoi’s past record, Bora reminded the media that Raijor Dal had failed to make a significant mark in the previous elections. He argued that Gogoi’s rhetoric often lacked consistency and was driven more by personal ambition than any genuine concern for people’s welfare. He questioned the credibility of someone who, despite having a strong activist background, has repeatedly failed to offer concrete political alternatives.
Bora said Congress would not be distracted by what he termed “baseless and inflammatory” remarks. He insisted that the party remained focused on the grassroots issues affecting rural Assam, such as employment, education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure. Bora noted that the Congress campaign has gained momentum across districts, and he credited the party’s structured planning and united leadership for this.
He called on voters not to be misled by disruptive statements and to evaluate parties based on their track record and vision for the state. Bora said that Gogoi’s statements only served to provide ammunition to those who wish to see a fragmented opposition in Assam. He said that the people of Assam were politically mature and would not fall for attempts to create unnecessary friction among anti-BJP forces.
The APCC vice president also mentioned that Gogoi had once aligned with the Congress during joint opposition meetings but now chooses to publicly criticize the same leaders. He described such behavior as opportunistic and disappointing, especially at a time when the opposition needs to present a united front. Bora affirmed that Congress remains open to cooperation with like-minded parties but would not tolerate baseless interference in its internal matters.
He also criticized Gogoi’s comments on Congress candidate selections, asserting that every candidate underwent a democratic screening process. Bora said the party had chosen individuals based on their commitment to public service, local acceptability, and ability to deliver on promises. He invited Gogoi to focus on strengthening his own party instead of passing judgments on others.
As the Panchayat election approaches, Bora said the Congress will intensify its outreach to voters and highlight the failures of the BJP-led government. He said Congress aims to reclaim its stronghold at the grassroots level and restore people’s faith in governance. He concluded his statement by reiterating that Congress remains committed to inclusive politics and refuses to be drawn into unnecessary controversies triggered by political rivals.
