Gaurav Gogoi, the Assam Congress president, has declared the forthcoming assembly elections as a direct confrontation between the state's citizens and an authoritarian ruler. Speaking at a mass convention organized by the Dibrugarh District Citizens' Forum, he lambasted the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government for suppressing democratic freedoms. Gogoi emphasized that the polls, anticipated in March-April, represent a critical battle against a regime that mirrors monarchical control.

He contended that the Indian Constitution grants citizens not only the right to vote but also the essential freedom to critique government actions. According to Gogoi, this administration undermines democracy by restricting public scrutiny in key areas such as health, education, and infrastructure. He drew parallels between the BJP's ideology and ancient kingship, alleging a central "maharaja" in Delhi appoints regional "rajas" in states under their influence.

Gogoi criticized the government's welfare programs as mere handouts designed to portray benevolence while imposing stringent conditions. He argued that beneficiaries are coerced into political loyalty, barred from attending opposition events or voicing dissent. This approach, he claimed, exemplifies the regime's arrogance and reliance on intimidation tactics to maintain power.

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The Congress leader warned that the BJP employs divisive strategies to fracture societal unity, exploiting differences based on religion, language, regional identities, and ethnic groups. He urged conscious citizens to foster awareness and counteract these alleged conspiracies, asserting that a united populace could swiftly dismantle such leadership.

Gogoi highlighted Assam's poor performance in welfare metrics, ranking among the lowest states despite potential for excellence, while contrasting this with the chief minister's personal wealth accumulation. He affirmed that a unified opposition alliance is inevitable, framing the election not as a partisan contest but as a people's movement against autocratic rule. Other opposition figures, including Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Dhairya Konwar, attended the event.

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