Dibrugarh: Looking to turn the tide for Congress in the upcoming assembly elections, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday led the “Xomoy Poribortonor Yatra” at Naharkatia in Dibrugarh.The yatra, which is part of a broader statewide campaign to galvanise public support, saw hundreds of supporters and party workers hit the streets in Gaurav’s support, holding aloft the party flag with slogans ringing through the air.
In keeping with the tradition of the yatra of beginning each leg with a visit to a place of devotion, Gaurav first sought blessings at the Raidongia Namghar, along with senior leaders Debabrata Saikia, Pradyut Bordoloi, Paban Singh Ghatowar and Pranati Phukan, before addressing the people.“People’s response has been overwhelming, they have made up their mind. Congress will form the next govt in Assam by kicking out BJP,” the MP said, drawing loud cheers from the gathering. Gaurav also assured his supporters that if Congress was voted to power, all existing welfare schemes will be continued and strengthened.Saikia, who has been a constant presence throughout the yatra, having already covered several districts, including Golaghat, Sivasagar and Jorhat, said the campaign was more than just an electoral arithmetic. “This yatra is a conversation with the people of the state. We are here to listen, to connect and to remind them that Congress has always stood beside them,” he said.Once a Congress stronghold, with four wins out of nine assembly elections — in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 — Naharkatia slipped from the party’s grasp in 2021, when BJP candidate Taranga Gogoi defeated Pranati Phukan by 14,976 votes. Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) candidate and prominent anti-CAA agitation figure Lurinjyoti Gogoi came third with 25,232 votes, splitting the anti-BJP vote. Prior to BJP’s maiden win, the seat had also been twice held by AGP and twice by CPI(M).
