Guwahati , Jan 27: Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday praised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for engaging with Northeastern communities amid ongoing crises, while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using “diversionary tactics” to avoid accountability.

In a post on X, Khera shared images of Gandhi interacting with residents from the Northeast and lauded his “character and moral courage.” He highlighted Congress initiatives in the region and alleged that the BJP-RSS ecosystem had undermined peace, pointing to violence in Manipur, the unresolved probe into singer Zubeen Garg’s death, and the case of Angel Chakma.

Targeting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Khera claimed that Sarma relies on “photo-ops” to mask deeper issues, including demands for peace, justice, jobs, and cultural respect. “Assam is not voting for optics. It is voting for accountability,” Khera wrote, suggesting that voters will focus on substantive matters ahead of the state assembly elections.

The remarks come after Sarma demanded an apology from Gandhi for not wearing a traditional North Eastern Patka at the Republic Day ‘At Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Sarma described Gandhi’s omission as “deeply insensitive and insulting,” noting that the President, Prime Minister, and others wore it with pride.

Khera countered by sharing a photo of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also not wearing the Patka, questioning whether Sarma would demand an apology from him as well. He described the controversy as a “non-issue” used to distract from anti-incumbency concerns.

Sarma had stated that Gandhi’s action “reinforced a perception of disregard towards the North East,” contributing to the erosion of Congress’s trust in the region.