Dibrugarh: The battle for the world’s largest river island intensified on Saturday as Assam Congress president and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi arrived in Majuli to spearhead a massive campaign for party candidate Indraneel Pegu.Arriving by ferry across the Brahmaputra, Gogoi was met with a rousing reception by hundreds of Congress supporters and grassroots workers, signalling a spirited attempt by the grand old party to reclaim its former stronghold.The visit comes at a crucial juncture for the Majuli assembly constituency, which has seen a tectonic shift in its political landscape over the last decade. Once a reliable fortress for Congress, the seat is currently held by BJP. However, the energy on the ground on Saturday suggested a tightening race between the Congress challenger Indraneel, and the incumbent BJP MLA Bhuban Gam.Addressing a sea of supporters, Gaurav struck a chord with the local populace, emphasising a narrative of restoration and public service. He framed the upcoming election not just as a political contest, but as a movement for “parivartan” (change).“I arrived in Majuli to seek voters’ blessings for Indraneel, the Congress candidate for Majuli. We are deeply overwhelmed by the warm welcome and blessings showered upon us by the people of Majuli. The massive turnout, blessings, and support from the public prove that this time, the people of Assam are set to overthrow misrule and clear the path for change,” Gogoi said.The political history of Majuli reflects the evolving identity of Assam’s politics. Since 1972, the constituency has seen 11 assembly elections: Congress emerged victorious four times, while BJP and AGP have secured three wins each. Janata Party (JNP) won one time.Congress’s dominance was most notable between 2001 and 2011, when Rajib Lochan Pegu held the seat for three consecutive terms. The tide turned in 2016 when BJP’s Sarbananda Sonowal won the seat, eventually becoming the CM. Sonowal retained the seat in 2021 before moving to the Rajya Sabha, necessitating the 2022 by-election. In that contest, BJP’s Bhuban Gam cemented the party’s hold by defeating AJP’s Chittaranjan Basumatary by a significant margin of 42,141 votes.As the election date draws near, Congress is banking on Indraneel to tap into the anti-incumbency sentiments and the party’s historical roots in the island. The BJP, meanwhile, relies on the developmental infrastructure pushed during the Sonowal and Himanta Biswa Sarma tenures.With Gaurav personally leading the charge, Congress is attempting to bridge the gap created during the 2022 by-polls. For the people of Majuli, the choice remains between the continuity of the “Double Engine” govt and Congress’s promise of a new direction.
