Guwahati, Apr 29: BJP Assam Pradesh President Dilip Saikia on Monday called for the disqualification of Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi from contesting future elections, alleging that his recent remarks were extremist and communal in nature, posing a threat to social harmony.
Saikia, who is also the MP from Darrang-Udalguri, said in a statement that the BJP has submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission demanding strict action against Gogoi. The move follows Gogoi’s reported comment suggesting that Muslims should not vote for the BJP.
Describing Gogoi’s remarks as inappropriate, insensitive, and an example of appeasement politics, Saikia said it was a grave insult to Assamese pride. He emphasised that Gogoi represents Sivasagar, a region historically significant for being the heartland of the Ahom dynasty, which had resisted Mughal invasions. Saikia added that many self-respecting Assamese citizens have expressed strong disapproval of Gogoi’s statement.
Under Saikia’s directive, a BJP delegation led by State BJP Vice-President Ashok Bhattarai submitted the memorandum to the Election Commission on Sunday.
Meanwhile, responding to the attack on Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi’s vehicle, Saikia said the BJP strongly condemned the incident. However, he criticised attempts to implicate the Chief Minister in the matter, pointing out that no other Congress leaders campaigning for the panchayat elections had faced similar attacks.
Saikia suggested that internal dissatisfaction within the Congress regarding alleged irregularities in ticket distribution might have contributed to the incident. He stated that disgruntled Congress workers who were denied tickets could have been involved, and noted that some doubts have already been raised within the party.
Saikia further informed that the Chief Minister had ordered an investigation into the incident. He also alleged that the attack might have been pre-planned by Congress to tarnish the BJP’s public image. Saikia concluded by reiterating that neither the BJP nor the government supports or endorses violence against opposition political leaders or workers.
