Guwahati, April 2: Assam Congress president and Jorhat candidate Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma favors leaders connected to the state’s stone, coal and areca nut industries.

Speaking to reporters in Karbi Anglong, Gogoi said the Congress-led alliance is confident of victory, claiming that “the entire state of Assam has united against the politics of corruption, fear, and intimidation. Voters will no longer support leaders involved in illegal activities or those who operate through mafia networks,” Gogoi asserted.

He asserted that voters would reject leaders tied to illegal activities or mafia networks, while accusing Sarma of sidelining party members who genuinely serve the public.

Polling for Assam’s 126 assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, with results to be declared on May 4. The contest is primarily between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress alliance, which includes Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi addressed a rally in Karbi Anglong, where he criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over India’s trade commitments with the United States. Gandhi alleged that agriculture, energy, and data sectors had been opened to American interests, claiming India had agreed to purchase US products worth ₹9 lakh crore annually, a move he said would hurt small farmers and local businesses.