Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi on Friday said that the coming election in Assam will be a contest between the people of the state and what he described as the “ruler”. He was speaking at a mass convention organised by the Dibrugarh District Citizens’ Forum at Amolapatty Natya Mandir. The programme was held to raise concerns about democracy and the rights of citizens.In his address, Gogoi said that the Constitution gives every citizen not only the right to vote, but also the right to question the government and criticise injustice. He said that democracy cannot function without the right to question. According to him, people should be able to ask about the government’s work in fields like health, education and infrastructure. He alleged that the present government does not want people to exercise these rights and follows an approach similar to old kings and rulers.
Gogoi said that under such systems, rulers distribute benefits from time to time, but only to those who maintain loyalty. He claimed that similar behaviour can be seen in government schemes today. He alleged that conditions are being linked to schemes, and that beneficiaries fear losing assistance if they support opposition parties or criticise the ruling leadership. He further said that it was unfortunate for a democratic country that threats and intimidation were being used in politics. He urged people from different communities and backgrounds to remain united and not fall prey to what he called divisive politics based on religion, language or ethnicity. According to him, unity among citizens is the real strength in a democracy.
Gogoi also criticised what he described as the government’s increasing dependence on loans, and alleged that instead of creating employment, the focus has shifted towards creating beneficiaries. He said that government schemes should reach all deserving people, regardless of political affiliation, and that public money must be used responsibly for education, healthcare and infrastructure. He added that people in Assam mainly want good hospitals, proper schools, working public services and fair treatment from the police and administration. Instead, he alleged that attention has shifted to schemes while basic services remain weak. He also said that Assam should have been among the leading states in human development but continues to remain behind. Gogoi stressed that there will be a decisive political contest ahead and called for unity among the Opposition. He said that alliances will be formed according to the wishes of the people and that the election is not simply between political parties but between the people and what he called the “ruler”.