Gaurav Gogoi Slams BJP’s Urban Bias, Demands Probe Into PWD Scams

In a sharp rebuttal to BJP Assam President Bhabesh Kalita’s recent appeal, newly appointed APCC President and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Assam government during his visit to Sonari. Gogoi accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of failing on key development promises and called for accountability in rural infrastructure projects.

Participating in a foundation stone laying ceremony for various development initiatives across the Sonari Assembly constituency, Gogoi said, “The BJP government is only focused on Guwahati. Rural Assam has been neglected. In villages, government schools are disappearing, and liquor shops are multiplying.”

He further alleged that even the state’s temple security has been compromised under the current administration. “The Chief Minister has failed to ensure the safety of religious sites,” Gogoi stated while addressing a gathering.

Criticising the Public Works Department (PWD) for its inefficiencies in road construction, Gaurav Gogoi demanded legal accountability for its repeated failures. “Departments like the PWD, which consistently fail to deliver on infrastructure commitments, must be brought within the ambit of the law,” he asserted.

Raising a pointed question, Gogoi further asked why Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has not initiated a detailed police investigation into the numerous scams and irregularities that continue to plague the department. “When there are widespread allegations of corruption in the PWD, why is the Chief Minister turning a blind eye? Why hasn't there been a thorough probe?” he questioned.

Referring to the recent incident in Lakhimpur where beef was allegedly thrown in front of a Namghar, following a similar case in Dhubri, serious questions are now being raised about the state government’s response and vigilance.

Despite Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's strong public statements in the aftermath of the Dhubri incident, critics argue that the recurrence of such a disturbing act points to a clear lapse in enforcement. "Why weren't stricter preventive measures implemented after the Dhubri case? How could such a sensitive incident happen again in Lakhimpur?" observers have asked.

The Chief Minister must answer why there has been a failure to ensure robust policing and deterrent security, especially around religious places like Namghars, temples, and churches. At a time when communal harmony is at stake, many believe the administration should deploy law enforcement more effectively to prevent such provocations and send a strong message that such acts will not be tolerated.

Highlighting what he called BJP’s urban bias, Gogoi said, “The development model of the BJP is city-centric. Even BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia has recently exposed the truth about the party’s poor governance.”

In a symbolic and community-centric outreach, Gogoi laid the foundation stones for MP-funded development works across various village panchayats in Sonari, some even held in local Namghars (Vaishnavite prayer halls), with Gogoi kneeling in reverence as a gesture of cultural respect.

“Our focus is on village development. The BJP has turned a blind eye to rural needs,” he added.

Also Read: “Donate BJP Land, Not Grab Tribal Land”—Gaurav Gogoi Hits Out at CM Sarma