As preparations for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections gather pace, political activity in the state has intensified, with sharp statements and counter-statements from leaders across parties. Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Friday responded to Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi over his party’s demand for seats in a proposed opposition alliance, while also launching a fresh attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming that it is afraid of losing public support.
Reacting to Akhil Gogoi’s statement that Raijor Dal would contest 44 seats and was demanding 20 seats within the alliance, Gaurav Gogoi said that Raijor Dal was well aware that there is a proper process for alliance talks and seat sharing. He stressed that such decisions are not taken through public statements but through discussions among alliance partners.
“Raijor Dal knows very well that there is a process. Whatever they say publicly, they understand how alliances are formed. The process has already started,” Gaurav Gogoi said. He added that the Congress party too has aspirations and demands from its own leaders and workers across the state. “We also have party members from all 126 Assembly constituencies who want to contest. We are also receiving requests from everywhere,” he said. 
The Assam Congress president pointed out that it is natural for leaders and parties to speak openly during election time, but said the final decisions would be taken through consultation. According to him, the overall public mood is clearly in favour of the Congress this time. “People will speak, people will express their views. But it is very clear that people have faith in Congress. People want friendship, people want alliance, and people want change,” he said.
Gaurav Gogoi also expressed confidence that an opposition alliance would eventually take shape. “Whether we take one step forward or one step back, discussions will continue. Today, I am 100 per cent sure that our alliance will be formed and we will fight together,” he said. He further stated that in any alliance, seat determination is a collective exercise and every party puts forward its position. “This time, Congress has decided that it will contest around 100 seats. Everything else will become clear in the coming days,” he added.
Apart from alliance politics, Gaurav Gogoi also launched a strong attack on the BJP, accusing it of being nervous due to growing crowds at Congress programmes and rallies. Speaking to ANI in Golaghat district, he claimed that the ruling party was afraid because people were increasingly turning towards the Congress.
“The BJP is scared. They can see how many people are gathering at Congress rallies and programmes. They know that their corruption is about to be exposed, and that is why they are worried,” Gogoi said. He alleged that people across Assam were unhappy with issues such as unemployment, rising prices, and what he described as poor governance under the BJP government.
Congress leaders have repeatedly claimed that the response they are receiving from both rural and urban areas shows a shift in public mood. According to the party, the large turnout at meetings and events reflects growing dissatisfaction with the current government and a renewed interest in the Congress.
Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced the appointment of senior leaders as All India Congress Committee (AICC) observers for the Assam Assembly elections. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Jharkhand leader Bandhu Tirkey have been named as senior observers for Assam. Party leaders said this step was taken to strengthen the organisation at the grassroots level and ensure better coordination during the election campaign.
The Congress has also appointed observers for other poll-bound states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Party sources said the aim was to avoid mistakes made in previous elections and ensure that local issues are addressed more effectively.
