Gaurav from Jorhat? Cong looks to shed ‘miya’ vote-bank tag

Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi could be the party’s nominee from the Jorhat assembly constituency in the coming elections as the party wants him as its chief ministerial face, Congress sources said.Gaurav, son of former CM late Tarun Gogoi, won from the Jorhat Lok Sabha seat in the 2024 general elections, even as the Modi wave swept Assam.With CM Himanta Biswa Sarma seeking to portray Congress as a party run by and dependent on “Miya” (migrant Muslims of Bangladesh origin) votes, a Congress leader said Gaurav contesting from Jorhat would carry weight. Jorhat is a prominent upper Assam seat where indigenous tribes and communities remain a determining factor in elections, unlike many constituencies in lower and central Assam that are affected by demographic changes.

“Gaurav Gogoi may be fielded from Jorhat. AICC leadership is reportedly discussing the possibility of fielding him from Jorhat, which is also his home district. Gaurav Gogoi is aware of the talks on his candidature, though he did not apply for candidature from any seat,” a source in the APCC said.Another section within the Congress, however, believes Gaurav will not enter the assembly race. Gaurav is yet to make his position clear.

But there are leaders in the Congress who feel that a decision by Gaurav to contest the polls will infuse great enthusiasm among Congress workers to take on BJP.The screening committee for candidate selection is expected to hold a meeting in New Delhi before finalising names. Meanwhile, Congress leadership’s main challenge is firming up an opposition alliance in Assam. Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi on Saturday told the media that he would wait until midnight on Sunday before outlining the next steps.