Veteran Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, labeling the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam as a battle between the “real” and the “fake” Congress. Baghel emphasized that the electoral contest has evolved into an ideological struggle within the Congress, with the “real Congress” led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi, contrasting the “fake Congress” under Chief Minister Sarma’s leadership.
Baghel highlighted the choice that voters in Assam face, between the original Congress ideology represented by Gogoi and those who have allegedly forsaken it for political expediency. He expressed confidence that voters would support the Congress under Gogoi’s guidance. The senior Congress leader pointed out the shifting allegiances of several leaders who were previously associated with the Congress but have now aligned with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming elections, characterizing this trend as an ideological split rather than a mere party rivalry.
As the Congress’ election observer for Assam, Baghel noted a growing pro-Congress sentiment prevailing across the state. He attributed this sentiment to a “new political atmosphere” resulting from leadership changes in the state unit, with people seeking an alternative to the current BJP administration. Baghel also accused the ruling BJP government of engaging in misgovernance, intimidation, and alleged corruption at higher echelons, contentions that the BJP has consistently refuted.
Chief Minister Sarma, who transitioned from being a prominent Congress figure to joining the BJP in 2015 and subsequently assuming the role of Chief Minister, has been at the center of the political discourse in Assam. The upcoming Assam Assembly elections, scheduled for April 9, with vote counting on May 4, are poised to be a significant political event, as per the Election Commission of India.
