Patch up for greater good, Assam citizens’ collective tells Congress, Raijor Dal

A citizens’ collective has urged Congress and Raijor Dal to resolve their differences over “one or two Assembly constituencies” for the “democratic and secular future” of Assam.

The collective, comprising 171 intellectuals, social activists, and professionals, is led by academician Hiren Gohain; author Nagen Saikia; retired Director General of Police Harekrishna Deka; former Archbishop of Guwahati Thomas Menamparampil; and Rajya Sabha member Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, whose term ends in April.

“As Assam stands on the cusp of a critical Assembly election, the political trajectory of the past decade has reached a decisive juncture. For those of us who believe in a democratic and secular future for our State, the necessity of resisting the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration is no longer a matter of choice, but an imperative,” the collective said in a statement.

The people of Assam, seeking a unified Opposition with immense hope, had been frustrated by the inability of the Congress and activist-turned MLA Akhil Gogoi’s Raijor Dal to strike a seat-sharing deal, and contest the upcoming election together, it said.

“It is a simple, undeniable fact — a fragmented Opposition only serves to strengthen the very forces we seek to challenge. Should these two parties fail to reach a consensus, the repercussions will be felt across the entire alliance and, ultimately, by the people of Assam,” the collective said.

The collective appealed to the leadership of the two parties to “rise above narrow partisan interests” and prioritise the collective welfare of the State. “The goal of providing a democratic alternative must outweigh local seat-based disagreements,” it said, urging them to reach an immediate consensus and finalise a strategic alliance.

The Congress has so far announced the names of candidates for 65 of Assam’s 126 seats, leaving 15 for its three allies — the Assam Jatiya Parishad, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation CPI(ML), and the All-Party Hill Leaders’ Conference.

Raijor Dal, which decided to go solo, released the names of 13 candidates.

According to their lists, Congress and Raijor Dal candidates will be rivals in three constituencies — Dhemaji, Goalpara East, and Margherita.