Gaurav Gogoi Targets Lavish Villa of CM’s Close Aide in Diphu

Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi stood in front of a five-storey palace-like mansion on Saturday afternoon in Diphu. The sprawling, lavish, and heavy with luxury farm-style looks house belongs to Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and a close political ally of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The Congress Leader pointed to the massive residence and made a biting but dramatic political attack, calling to mind a tale of two houses — one in Delhi, the other in Diphu.

"When polls for the Delhi Assembly were on," Gogoi started, "the BJP had no hesitation in attacking Arvind Kejriwal. They ridiculed his government residence, dubbed it a Sheesh Mahal, charged him with extravagance, and made it the beacon of their anti-corruption campaign."

He then pointed at the Diphu building behind him. "Today, I'm standing before another house — much larger, much more expensive. I'm told that it is owned by a very close friend of our Chief Minister. If that was Sheesh Mahal, then what are we going to call this one?"

The Congress leader's statement arrives at a moment when rumors related to the estimated multi-crore cost of construction of Ronghang's house at Rongtheang have surfaced in public conversation — and more vividly, across Instagram reels. 

Even though Gogoi never explicitly mentioned the owner in his public address, the reference was obvious. And with characteristic sarcasm, he rolled the story back to the Prime Minister's now-famous slogan: "Na khaunga, na khane dunga." Staring directly at the camera, Gogoi declared, "Modiji, you said you would not eat nor let others eat. Well, here is a feast for the eyes.". Your government's appetite only appears to have increased — and so have the homes of your allies."

For his part, Tuliram Ronghang — a veteran leader of the autonomous council and ranked among the most powerful characters in hill politics — has been mum so far. No official explanation or denial has come on the funding source or legality of the construction of the residence. There is as yet no indication of any move from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Income Tax Department — the same institutions Gogoi taunted name-dropped throughout his speech.

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