Congress ends alliance with Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal in Assam

The opposition Congress on Thursday announced the termination of all political ties with Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal in Assam, citing a “breach of alliance ethics”.

The decision, taken on the direction of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi, came into immediate effect, the party said in a statement.

A circular to this effect, signed by APCC General Secretary (Organisation) Ramanna Baruah, was issued on Wednesday, it said.

Congress said it had forged an electoral alliance with pan-India Left parties and several regional outfits, including Raijor Dal, ahead of the previous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to present a united opposition against what it described as “communal forces”.

“However, for a majority of this period, the leadership of Raijor Dal continuously engaged in malicious propaganda and character assassination against the Congress party, violating the norms and decorum of the coalition,” it alleged.

The Congress also accused Raijor Dal leaders of making “baseless, unwarranted and derogatory remarks” against leaders of other parties in the opposition alliance, saying such statements repeatedly undermined the basic ethics of the coalition.

In view of the alleged conduct, the Congress said it was no longer viable to continue political ties with Raijor Dal.

“Despite severing this alliance, the Indian National Congress remains steadfast in its commitments,” the statement said, adding that the party would continue to raise public issues and hold the BJP government accountable for its “anti-people actions, unjust policies and misgovernance”.

There was no immediate reaction from the Raijor Dal leadership.

Congress and Raijor Dal were part of a six-party opposition alliance in the last Assam Assembly elections. Congress won 19 seats, while Raijor Dal secured two in the 126-member House.