In a recent press conference in Sivasagar, Akhil Gogoi, leader of the Raijor Dal party, leveled serious accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2024 Assam Lok Sabha elections. Gogoi accused the state government of orchestrating a scheme to blackmail women in the state for political gains.
Addressing the media, the Sivsagar MLA alleged that the government’s Orunodoi scheme, aimed at providing financial assistance to women, has been manipulated for political advantage. Gogoi claimed that fake forms bearing Prime Minister Modi’s photo instead of the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar were distributed, and women were coerced into attending BJP meetings under the guise of Self-Help Group (SHG) meetings, with promises of monetary incentives.
Furthermore, Gogoi highlighted instances where BJP workers allegedly pressured SHGs to pledge their votes to the BJP in the upcoming polls, despite Election Commission directives against such practices. He warned Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against unconstitutional actions and urged voters to support opposition unity candidates to prevent the country from veering towards religious fundamentalism.
Criticizing the Modi government’s economic policies, Gogoi denounced the sell-off of national assets and the resultant unemployment crisis. He attributed the soaring commodity prices to BJP’s governance, equating the party with inflation, fundamentalism, and privatization. Gogoi called for support for opposition candidates Gaurav Gogoi and Lurinjyoti Gogoi, citing their commitment to safeguarding the nation’s interests.
Sharing his developmental initiatives in Sivasagar, including the construction of Anganwadi centers and plans for a ground house project, Gogoi refuted claims of regret over his victory among the people of Sivasagar, dismissing them as baseless allegations by the Chief Minister.
As of now, the BJP has not responded to Gogoi’s accusations, setting the stage for heightened political tension in the run-up to the Assam Lok Sabha elections.