Target: Minority-dominated Srijangram Assembly constituency
Guwahati: With the promise of development and coordination and the aim of taking Assam forward together in unity, former AAMSU President Rezaul Karim Sarkar joined the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.
In the presence of Pradesh Congress President Gaurav Gogoi, Rezaul Karim Sarkar along with several former vice-presidents of AAMSU formally joined the Congress at Manabendra Sharma Complex in Guwahati.
After joining the party, the former AAMSU president strongly attacked the ruling BJP and made some controversial remarks. He said that people have seen “bad days” under the BJP-led government. He stated, “We want a greater Assam where there is no religion, no discrimination — only human beings and humanity.” He also criticised the present government, saying that hatred among people is increasing. He spoke about the burning problems of different communities in Assam and pledged to work for equality, balanced development and collective progress. He also said that Assam is currently not safe.
However, soon after his joining, his statement that “we will make Sivasagar into Dhubri and Dhubri into Sivasagar, and also make Barak like Sivasagar to move Assam forward together” drew strong reactions. Many organisations from Upper Assam opposed this statement and demanded an apology.
At the same programme, Roop Kumar Medhi, a leader from the Mising community and long-time president of MMK, also joined the Congress. Several others, including BJP Political Affairs Committee member Manoj Kumar Mahanta, Chila Basumatary, Arun Basumatary, Mrinmoy Kalita and Alakesh Medhi, also formally joined the Congress. Senior Congress leaders, including AICC Secretary Manoj Chauhan, were present at the event.
Meanwhile, the Bongaigaon District Congress Committee sent a letter to Pradesh Congress President Gaurav Gogoi opposing Rezaul Karim Sarkar’s induction. The district unit stated that this decision could cause political damage to the Congress. The letter warned that this move may lead to the consolidation of Hindu votes against the Congress. It further said that the BJP may use this issue in Upper Assam to campaign that Congress depends only on Muslim leaders and organisations, which could harm the party’s image across the state.
On the other hand, there is a possibility that Rezaul Karim Sarkar may contest the upcoming Assembly election from the newly formed Srijangram Assembly constituency. It is important to note that Bilasipara East and Bilasipara West constituencies have been dissolved and merged to form the new Srijangram constituency, which is minority-dominated. In the last election, both Bilasipara East and West were won by AIUDF.
Now, after Rezaul Karim’s entry into Congress, it remains to be seen how voters in AIUDF’s stronghold areas will respond.
