The Assam Jatiya Parishad chief and the Lok Sabha candidate from Dibrugarh, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, exclusively talks to GPlus and explains the factors that will make people cast their votes for him.
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In the 2021 assembly elections, you contested from the Duliajan and Naharkatia assembly seats simultaneously, but finished third in both races behind BJP and Congress candidates. You were then fresh out of CAA protest but still lost. What according to you was the reason for the loss?
I have no hesitation to say that anti-CAA votes were divided during the 2021 election between the Congress and us. That is the reason why the Congress, us, and some other parties have come together under an umbrella. So this time, that would not happen.
Now you are contesting for Lok Sabha from Dibrugarh against AAP and BJP’s Sarbananda Sonowal who is a heavyweight. How confident are you?
Definitely, Mr. Sonowal is a heavyweight candidate as he is the former CM, current central minister, and a member of the BJP parliamentary board. However, I am quite confident that people would reject him because he did nothing for the people. He betrayed the people he committed to and could not deliver. If I am voted in, I will be a voice of the people in Delhi.
As AAP is also contesting from Dibrugarh, does it mean INDI Alliance has not worked?
It is a fact that AAP is a part of INDIA. In Assam, they were also a part of the 16-party alliance called the United Opposition Forum. However, much before the United Opposition Forum or INDIA decided on candidates, AAP suddenly declared candidates for 3 seats in Assam from their Delhi headquarters. Therefore, AAP has not maintained the unity of the United Opposition Forum in Assam. As the General Secretary of the United Opposition Forum, I was not at all aware of why they did not discuss anything before declaring their candidates, so I cannot comment on what their intention or strategy was. We won't comment against them as they are a part of INDIA in other parts of the country. Here in Dibrugarh, it is the people who will ask them what their intention was in breaking the unanimous decision to have a one-to-one fight against the BJP to stop vote division.
Akhil Gogoi is supporting you and he said that AJP and Raijor Dol will merge if you win. Is a merger on cards?
I cannot make decisions on party issues independently. We are a democratic political party with our party organization, central executive committee, general assembly, and other committees. Therefore, decisions are made collectively by the party.
Talking about Sarbananda Sonowal, both of you are from AASU, how tough is the contest in Dibrugarh?
I have huge respect for Mr. Sonowal as he was my senior colleague in AASU. However, we have differences in issues and ideologies. Once he was hailed as 'Jatiyo Nayak', but he did not keep his promises, could not fulfil community expectations, and instead, he changed his stance on issues, which led to disappointment among his own people. Now, he seems disconnected from the people. So, I don't find the fight tough. However, one thing I can say is that since the BJP is in power, they are influencing the administration, the police, and even the election commission.
Will delimitation have any impact on the elections?
The BJP government has strongly influenced the process of delimitation to shape the constituencies in their favour. However, we believe the people have noticed their intentions. So, people will give a fitting reply to the BJP.
Rahul Gandhi will campaign for you. How do you think his campaign will help you?
Rahul Gandhi is a popular leader. Despite ideological differences with his party, I admire him as he has shown himself to be a truly patriotic, dedicated, and visionary leader. People love him, so I hope his visit will make a positive impact.
Are you going to campaign for the Congress after your election phase is over?
Yes, I will. As the general secretary of the United Opposition Forum, it is my responsibility to campaign for the opposition candidates.
Please tell us the factors because of which people will vote for you.
There are several factors, but primarily, the conduct and performance of the BJP candidate and Modi's misrule will play a big role in our favour. Voters are extrapolating BJP promises of 2014 and their current living standards which is misery in many forms. In the context of Assam, betrayals in the form of rejecting the clauses of Assam Accord, failed NRC, CAA, stagnant wages, unemployment amongst many others. The undercurrent of anger and frustration is palpable.
