Guwahati: Raijor Dal (RD) chief and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Saturday demanded the immediate resignation of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi following the party’s defeat in the assembly polls.RD contested as part of a six-party opposition front. With the coalition’s future uncertain after the results, Akhil accused Congress of prolonging alliance talks and sidelining him and his party during poll rallies.“When under a man (Gaurav), a party has shown such bad results, he should have stepped down already. I would have resigned if I was in his place,” Akhil said at a news conference on Saturday.Akhil said RD increased its strength in the assembly from one seat to two, with Mehboob Muktar winning from Dhing while he retained Sivasagar.“Had the number of our MLAs reduced to zero, I would have immediately resigned,” Akhil said.He also advised Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi to change his “body language” and asked the party to reassess its approach.“We respect AJP because it has not surrendered its stance on regionalism even after getting defeated. But Lurinjyoti Gogoi did not make strategy as expected and thus the party is facing problems,” Akhil said.Turning to the BJP-led govt, Akhil attacked it over inflation and alleged domestic LPG cylinders were being diverted to the black market for Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 despite an official price of Rs 962.Congress has initiated an internal review of the defeat by appointing district observers for a post-poll assessment. “The meeting shall review the performance, results and discuss the party’s future,” APCC general secretary (organisation) Ramanna Baruah said.
