GUWAHATI, Feb 25: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday said discussions on the possibility of an alliance with regional party Raijor Dal before the state Assembly elections were underway.
Gogoi, while reacting on the matter, stated that he was in favour of an alliance with the Akhil Gogoi-led party.
Referring to Akhil’s statement, the Assam PCC chief said it is true that alliance talks with some parties have nearly been concluded and only formal announcements to the public remain.
“While discussions with several parties have been completed, talks with Raijor Dal are still underway,” the Congress leader said.
During the APCC president’s recent visit to Delhi, the central leadership sought certain details from the state unit regarding the alliance.
Gogoi said the central leadership would provide guidance and advice in the coming days.
“Reports of completed discussions with other parties will be submitted to the central leadership. The incomplete status of talks with Raijor Dal has already been communicated to the high command,” he said.
On Akhil Gogoi’s media briefings, Gaurav said, “We do not have such a practice. That is not our tradition. We hold formal discussions and maintain confidentiality before making any statements. Even now, I have not disclosed which parties we have finalised discussions with. That is our party’s tradition. We are not accustomed to speaking publicly in that manner.”
Reacting to the induction of a suspended Congress MLA into Raijor Dal, the APCC president said Raijor Dal has taken in an MLA who was suspended by the Congress.
According to media reports, the MLA has also been given a ticket, he said, further alleging that another legislator, against whom there had been significant internal discussions and allegations within Congress, has also been inducted and may be fielded as a candidate.
He said such developments have been observed for some time and hinted at ongoing internal discussions within the party.
Reiterating his positive stand on the alliance, Gogoi said, “An alliance is good. However, compared to earlier, my level of optimism has somewhat reduced. Nevertheless, I will try to convince my colleagues, senior leaders, workers and the central leadership why unity would be beneficial. Since the alliance has not yet been finalised, my optimism today is not the same as before.”
