Congress pitches tie-up with Raijor Dal for Assam bypolls even as TMC courts Akhil Gogoi

In an intriguing move on Sunday, Congress party approached Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal to form an alliance for  upcoming by-election to 5 seats in Assam- Tamulpur, Gossaigaon, Mariani, Majuli, and Thowra. Founded after anti-Citizenship Amendment Act agitation, Raijor Dal has contested Assembly polls in an alliance with ar regional party Assam Jatiya Parishad. Gogoi created history by becoming first Assamese to win an election from behind bars after trouncing BJP's Surabhi Rajkonwar with a margin of 11,875 votes. 

On July 1, he walked free after nearly 19 months of incarceration for his role in anti-CAA protests in Assam. Speaking to media after meeting with Raijor Dal leaders on Sunday evening, Assam Congress working president Rana Goswami stated, "We also spoke about forming an alliance for upcoming Assembly by-elections. This is just a preliminary meeting and several more rounds will take place. final decision of an alliance will be taken by top state and central leaders". He added that Sonia Gandhi-led party desired a relationship with Raijor Dal for 2024 General Election as well as 2026 Assembly polls. 

Congress' overture comes at a juncture when TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee reportedly offered Akhil Gogoi to lead her party's state unit in Assam. Expressing his desire to see Banerjee as next PM, he described her as "biggest face" of resistance against BJP-RSS. He said, "Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee invited me to merge Raijor Dal with Trinamool Congress. Work is underway to form an alliance of regional parties with Banerjee as leader, to remove BJP from power at Centre in 2024". 

Assam Assembly polls

15-year tenure of Tarun Gogoi as Chief Minister of Assam came to an end in 2016 Assembly polls with BJP winning 86 seats as against 26 seats won by Congress. In a blow for BJP in lead-up to 2021 Assembly election, its ally Bodoland People's Front (BPF) decided to join Congress-led alliance. While BJP is contested 92 seats, it allocated 26 and 8 seats to Asom Gana Parishad and  United People's Party Liberal respectively. On or hand, Congress formed a grand alliance with BPF, AGM, AIUDF, CPI, CPI(M), CPI(ML), RJD, and JPP. 

However, opposition tie-up proved to be match for NDA as latter mand to retain power in state. As part of ruling alliance, BJP, AGP, and UPPL won 60, 9, and 6 seats respectively. As far as Mahajot is concerned, Congress secured 29 seats followed by AIMIM, BPF, and CPI(M) whose candidates won in 16, 4, and 1 constituencies respectively. Most of prominent candidates including CM Sarbananda Sowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and AGP president Atul Bora won ir seats with a convincing margin. However, Assam Congress chief Ripun Bora suffered a shock defeat in Gohpur.