Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Friday strongly criticised the Himanta Biswa Sarma-led government just hours before the state Assembly is set to take up the important bill on granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. Gogoi held a closed-door discussion with the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) earlier in the day, where the party leaders met to plan their stand for the Assembly session.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Gogoi said that tea garden workers in Assam fully understand what has been happening in the state over the last few years. He said that workers can see how some BJP leaders have bought large areas of land, including tea estates, and claimed that this was done to “hide black money.” According to him, any last-minute announcements made by the government would not influence the workers anymore.
Gogoi also said that Assam’s tea industry has become more of a political tool for the ruling party. He said that the tea sector should serve the workers, but instead, it now benefits a few leaders. He added that the problems faced by tea workers can only be solved when Congress comes back to power. 
Though he did not share all details of the internal CLP discussion, Gogoi described the meeting as productive. He said the party carefully discussed the issues that might come up during the Assembly debate and how Congress should respond in a responsible way.
On the matter of granting ST status to six communities, Gogoi launched a direct attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. He alleged that the Chief Minister weakened tribal leadership by removing a tribal leader to take the top post himself. According to him, the present government does not have any real intention or political will to work for the development of tribal communities.
Gogoi also accused the state government of handing over tribal land to private companies. He alleged that land belonging to tribal groups had been given to business groups like Adani and Ambani “for just one rupee.” He said this was a serious attack on the rights of Assam’s indigenous people and that it had created a sense of fear among many tribal families.
He further claimed that the delay in granting ST status had been intentional. According to him, this delay created misunderstandings and tensions among tribal and ethnic communities in the state. He said that these divisions were harmful and needed to be addressed with honesty.
Gogoi said that justice for indigenous and tribal people cannot be expected under the present leadership. “As long as Himanta Biswa Sarma remains Chief Minister, Assam’s indigenous and tribal people will not get justice,” he said.
