Raijor Dal President Akhil Gogoi has extended his congratulations to Gaurav Gogoi on his recent appointment as President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC). Speaking at a press conference in Sivasagar, Akhil Gogoi emphasized the importance of a united opposition front to counter the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. He proposed that all opposition parties must come together and set a deadline of May 30 to finalize talks regarding a potential Congress–Raijor Dal alliance.

Highlighting the political scenario in the state, Akhil Gogoi addressed recent accusations by the BJP against Gaurav Gogoi. BJP leaders had alleged that Gaurav had visited Pakistan and that his wife had links to the country. Dismissing these as unfounded, Akhil Gogoi challenged the BJP-led government to act legally if any real evidence exists. He pointed out that with institutions like the Prime Minister's Office, Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, and Assam Police in place, no action has been taken, which indicates that the claims are politically motivated. He likened these accusations to the politicization of the Bangladeshi immigrant issue that has long been a tool of divisive politics in Assam.

Akhil Gogoi also commented on the arrest of youth leader Shankar Baruah, who was taken into custody in connection with a recent incident in Duliajan. He condemned the use of handcuffs during the arrest, calling it unnecessary and a form of harassment against indigenous youth under the BJP regime. He advised Baruah to avoid becoming embroiled in controversies that could harm his credibility and political career, especially since he had earlier distanced himself from the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) due to a similar issue.

On the topic of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, Gogoi took a strong stance, accusing the BJP government of inaction despite its vocal promises. He noted that the number of deportations has been lowest under BJP rule. While he supports legal deportation, he insisted it must not be used as a tool for political manipulation and vote-bank politics.

Refuting BJP’s claims that Gaurav Gogoi’s elevation as APCC chief signals a ‘pro-Pakistan’ move by the Congress, Akhil Gogoi said such statements are baseless and stem from the BJP’s political desperation. He reiterated that such divisive narratives do not hold water when no concrete action has been taken by the authorities, despite the serious nature of the allegations.

In essence, Akhil Gogoi’s statements reflect a growing push among regional and national opposition forces to unite against the BJP in Assam ahead of the 2026 polls. He called for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, denounced politically charged accusations, and demanded accountability and fairness in law enforcement. His focus remains on protecting the rights of indigenous people, ensuring justice, and preventing the misuse of sensitive issues for political gain.