The Congress has launched its Lok Sabha campaign in Assam, capitalizing on the widespread protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the state. With citizens expressing strong opposition to the CAA, Congress aims to make it a significant electoral issue in the upcoming polls.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi emphasized that the CAA has become a pressing concern in Assam, as it undermines the Assam Accord. He questioned the rationale behind implementing the Act, which contradicts the promises made in the Assam Accord of identifying and deporting "foreigners" who entered the state after March 24, 1971.
According to Gogoi, the timing of the CAA's implementation before the elections is an attempt to divert attention from critical issues such as the controversy surrounding the State Bank of India and electoral bonds. The implementation coincided with the Supreme Court's rejection of the State Bank of India's plea for an extension to disclose electoral bond details.
Gogoi accused the central government of sowing discord between communities in Assam, similar to the situation in Manipur. He also highlighted his party's readiness to address these concerns, evident in Congress's decision to field him as a candidate from the Jorhat constituency after his current Lok Sabha seat, Kalibaor, was affected by delimitation.
Another Congress candidate, Mira Goswami, representing Guwahati, echoed Gogoi's sentiments, asserting that the CAA has deeply unsettled the Assamese people and was perceived as an attempt to favor migrants over indigenous inhabitants. Goswami emphasized that Assam rejects being treated as a "dumping yard," and voters will express their discontent with the BJP through their ballots.
With the commencement of its campaign in Assam, Congress aims to mobilize public sentiment against the BJP, particularly in light of the CAA, which has ignited widespread opposition across the state. In the 2019 elections, before the enactment of the CAA, BJP secured nine out of 14 seats, while Congress won three.
