Guwahati: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in Guwahati on Tuesday the Congress-led six-party alliance in Assam would win at least 72 out of 126 assembly seats and form the next govt in the state.He was speaking to the media just hours before campaigning ended for the April 9 assembly elections, where the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led united opposition alliance are in a direct contest.“Our alliance is going to form the next govt in Assam by winning 72-73 seats,” Kharge said. “No one needs to be afraid. This time, a Congress govt is going to be formed in Assam. Women need not worry. Even if a Congress govt comes, the financial benefits they are currently receiving will continue and may even increase. BJP is trying to scare people by claiming that these benefits will stop if Congress comes to power. People should not be misled by such propaganda,” he added.Referring to feedback from survey teams, Kharge said the Congress leadership believes the party will secure a majority and that the alliance may win 70 to 72 seats.Asked whether Gaurav Gogoi would become chief minister if the alliance wins, Kharge said Congress does not announce such decisions before elections and that the high command takes a call after consulting elected MLAs.Targeting Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kharge alleged that there is no chief minister in the country “as corrupt and arrogant as him (Sarma)”. He claimed that instead of focusing on public welfare, Sarma concentrated on his own growth, while syndicates were active in different sectors. He said the fight this time is “people versus Himanta Biswa Sarma.”Kharge said a comparison between the assets declared by former chief minister Tarun Gogoi over 15 years and those of the current chief minister in just five years would show the reality. He questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat over why no investigation was launched into the alleged corruption, despite their stated zero-tolerance policy. He further alleged that BJP was allowing Sarma to accumulate wealth to help fund the party.On justice for Zubeen Garg, Kharge said the govt delayed setting up a fast-track court by six months, “possibly to protect someone”. He said that if Congress forms the govt, justice would be delivered within 100 days and those responsible would be punished.On allegations regarding multiple foreign passports linked to the chief minister’s family, Kharge said the govt should respond and that the matter would be decided in court.Referring to allegations raised by Pawan Khera and the police action that followed on Tuesday, Kharge said that under a “double-engine govt,” FIRs were to be expected. He said instead of filing cases, the chief minister should clarify whether the allegations were true or false, adding that Congress was not afraid of such action and was ready to face it.
