HT Bureau
DIPHU, July 5: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government in Assam, accusing it of undermining the constitutional autonomy granted to the hill districts under the Sixth Schedule.
Addressing a press conference at Diphu Circuit House, Gogoi alleged that the BJP government was eroding the powers of the autonomous councils and centralising governance.
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“The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution is meant to provide autonomy to indigenous communities for self-governance. Rule should come from Diphu, BTR, or Haflong—not from Delhi or Dispur,” he said.
He added that the Congress respects this framework and supports development, cultural preservation, and linguistic diversity rooted in local governance.
Gogoi further accused chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of acting as a “real estate broker,” alleging that thousands of bighas of land belonging to indigenous people were being handed over to corporate entities.
In contrast, he praised former Congress CM Tarun Gogoi for respecting the Sixth Schedule and upholding the rights of hill communities.
Referring to the ongoing border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya in areas adjoining West Karbi Anglong, Gogoi termed it a failure of the BJP government to safeguard the interests of local communities.
As part of his visit, Gogoi also recorded a video message in front of an under-construction building allegedly linked to the Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), drawing parallels with Delhi’s “Sheesh Mahal” controversy involving former CM Arvind Kejriwal.
Gogoi was accompanied by APCC Working President Rosleena Tirkey, Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee President Bidya Sing Rongpi, and other senior party workers.
In response, the BJP’s East Karbi Anglong District Committee convened an impromptu press briefing at the office of the Hills People Cultural Forum (HPCF).
BJP adviser Laichan alleged that the Congress regime under Tarun Gogoi was marked by ethnic unrest in the hill districts, with multiple communities—including the Dimasa, Karbi, Kuki, and Naga Rengma—displaced due to violent flare-ups.
He referred to the ambush on a KAAC bus at Charchim–Presek, in which several innocent lives were lost.
BJP leader Engleng stated that had Gogoi come to Karbi Anglong with constructive intentions, thousands would have gathered to welcome him, instead of just a few hundred.
He demanded that Gogoi apologise for the violence and displacement witnessed during Congress rule.
The BJP leaders defended the current KAAC leadership under Tuliram Ronghang, highlighting visible development in the district.
Reacting to Gogoi’s opposition to the proposed solar power project, they urged him to focus on addressing unemployment rather than stalling developmental initiatives.
“Many youths have to migrate to cities for jobs, where they face insecurity. Projects like this can generate local employment and should be supported, not opposed,” they said.
