Gogoi son takes Modi where BJP workers can’t

Kaliabo Lok Sabha constituency covers 10 Assembly segments spread over Jorhat, Golaghat and Nagaon districts.

One does not always need the BJP to take its PM nominee Narendra Modi to remote villages in Assam where people have not heard of him much. In this small village of Nagaon district under Kaliabor Lok Sabha constituency, it is Congress candidate Gourav Gogoi who has been telling the people that there is a person called Narendra Modi whom they have to resist become the next prime minister.

“Modi wants to convert Assam into Gujarat. But we are proud of our heritage and culture, and simply cannot allow Modi to convert Assam into another Gujarat,” Gogoi, son of Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. He addressed over a dozen election meetings under Dhing and Batadrava Assembly segments during the day, repeating the same thing, more so when the audience, like in this village, comprised mostly of Muslims.

Kaliabo Lok Sabha constituency covers 10 Assembly segments spread over Jorhat, Golaghat and Nagaon districts. It has been with the Gogoi family since 1991 except for 1996-98. Tarun Gogoi was MP from here in 1991, 1998 and 1999. Later, his brother Dip Gogoi took over, first through a bypoll in 2001, and then 2004 and 2009.

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“The Congress has turned Kaliabor into a jamindari,” complained BJP candidate Mrinal Kumar Saikia (46), who says the Gogois have done nothing for the constituency despite holding it for more than 20 years. “Look at the roads. Look at the power situation. Thousands of young people have been compelled to go and work as daily-wagers in other states,” said Saikia.

While Gourav Gogoi is warning people against making Modi next PM, BJP’s Saikia has been struggling without any top party leader coming to campaign for him. “I wanted Modiji, but they could not get him. I cannot afford to spend time by waiting for Modi, and have been going panchayat to panchayat, asking people to vote for making Modiji the PM. It is also good that Gourav Gogoi has been chanting Modiji’s name in every Congress meeting,” Saikia added.

While Modi wave appears to be blowing in the other four Assam constituencies that are going to polls on April 7, the Congress has found Kaliabor the safest seat this election. “We are sure of winning Kaliabor. Now we are asking people to elect Gourav Gogoi by a record all-India margin,” claimed veteran Congress MLA and former minister Gautam Bora, who is anchoring Gourav’s campaign.

The anti-Congress votes is all set to be split, primarily between the AGP and BJP. The AIUDF, which has MLAs in two of the four Muslim-dominated Assembly segments, has fielded a non-Muslim candidate, prompting the AGP and BJP to say that the AIUDF has intentionally fielded a “weak” candidate to ensure CM son’s victory.