Abdur Rashid Mandal, senior Congress leader and MLA of 38-Goalpara West LAC, has raised concerns about being sidelined and overlooked in party organizational activities despite his long-standing service and contributions to the Indian National Congress (INC). In a letter addressed to the President of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Mandal detailed his grievances and sought attention from the party leadership.
Mandal, who has been elected as MLA in 2006, 2016, and 2021, has also served as President of Goalpara District Congress Committee (DCC) from 2008 to 2014. Moreover, he was appointed Chairman of the Assam Minorities Development Board for three consecutive terms from 2006 to 2016. In his letter, he expressed gratitude to former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and former APCC President Bhubaneswar Kalita for trusting him with key responsibilities in defending the government against internal dissent during his tenure.
Despite his contributions, Mandal said that he has felt neglected by Congress leaders in recent years, particularly MP Rakibul Hussain of Dhubri. According to Mandal, Hussain and associates opposed his appointments in the past, including his selection as DCC President, nomination as MLA candidate, and reappointments as Chairman of the Minorities Development Board. Mandal also highlighted his opposition to Hussain’s candidacy for the Dhubri Lok Sabha seat in 2024, which, he claims, led to his exclusion from election campaigns and committee roles. 
Mandal further said that while other MLAs from Goalpara district campaigned for the Dhubri Lok Sabha election, he was assigned responsibilities for Guwahati and Jorhat Lok Sabha constituencies, limiting his participation in local party activities. He also mentioned that despite several show-cause notices during the 2024 parliamentary elections, he responded timely and received support from elected DCC office bearers and PRI members of his constituency.
He expressed particular concern over being excluded from several key party organizational roles. Mandal noted that he was not listed as an executive member of the APCC, nor was he appointed as an observer for various districts. He also highlighted that he was not involved in the BTC elections, and his recommendations for local candidates in the last Panchayat elections were not considered. Additionally, leaders he recommended were excluded from important positions in the DCC, BCC, and MCC. Mandal also pointed out that his name was not included on the foundation stone plate of the DCC office building at Bhalukdubi, Goalpara, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on November 19, 2025, in the presence of senior party leaders including Jitendra Singh, Gaurav Gogoi, and Rockybul Hussain.
Despite these challenges, Mandal said that he is focusing on strengthening his relationships with local leaders, Congress workers, and the general public, particularly in the 14-Goalpara East constituency, in preparation for the 2026 Assembly elections. He requested party leadership to take note of his concerns and ensure fair representation in organizational roles in the interest of strengthening the Congress party in Goalpara district.
When contacted for his response, Northeast Scoop tried to reach Rakibul Hussain over phone, but he did not receive the call.
