Guwahati: Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday said the party had not abandoned efforts to build a united opposition alliance against BJP in the state, even as talks with Raijor Dal (RD) appeared strained over seat-sharing.His remarks came a day after RD president Akhil Gogoi said the prospects of a Congress–Raijor Dal tie-up were over, alleging Congress did not respond to RD’s demands. Akhil said Congress failed to accept RD’s request that it give up the minority-dominated Dhing seat in central Assam despite repeated appeals.
Asked about the possibility of an alliance with RD, Gaurav said in New Delhi, “Efforts are being made to form alliances with all opposition parties. Discussions on seat-sharing with 3 political parties (AJP, APHLC and CPM) are already completed, and talks with others are progressing positively.” He said the current hurdles could be resolved in the next few days, indicating the door remained open for an understanding with RD.Congress allies Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and the CPM appealed to both Congress and RD to keep the alliance intact to avoid a split in opposition votes. They questioned how a standoff over a single seat—Dhing—could derail months of negotiations between the two key opposition constituents.Akhil, however, escalated his criticism of Congress and Gaurav Gogoi, saying he would not submit to the party leadership in Delhi. He also targeted AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, saying, “I don’t know if Lurinjyoti Gogoi bows down before Gaurav Gogoi, but I will not. I believe in self-esteem and regionalism. If we do not get due respect from Congress, there will be no alliance,” Akhil said on Monday.Akhil had earlier objected to Gaurav’s statement that Congress would contest 100 of Assam’s 126 seats, leaving the rest for alliance partners. RD also claimed that in seat-sharing discussions, Congress was willing to part with only four “preferred seats” sought by RD.Meanwhile, without naming anyone, Lurinjyoti Gogoi said only BJP agents were trying to disrupt opposition unity.
