Efforts to stitch a Congress-Raijor Dal alliance in Assam ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections have suffered a major setback, with the regional party accusing the Indian National Congress of “unilateral decision-making, arrogance and deliberately sabotaging” alliance talks. The Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal alleged that the Congress formally excluded the party from the proposed Opposition alliance during a meeting of four parties held in Guwahati recently, marking what it described as the final collapse of negotiations. The controversy centres on the conduct of Assam PCC chief Gaurav Gogoi, whom Raijor Dal leaders accused of displaying an “arrogant attitude” and a lack of genuine interest in building a broad anti-BJP coalition.
In a statement, the regional party said it was formally kept out of the alliance meeting and media conference of four Opposition parties held in Guwahati on March 6. The event effectively finalized an alliance arrangement without the participation of Raijor Dal, which the party described as “deeply disrespectful”. According to the party, both the verbal remarks and body language of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi during the media conference suggested a lack of commitment to an inclusive opposition alliance.
Referring to the earlier Assam United Civil Society Convention held on July 6, 2025, the regional party that Gogoi had then also refrained from clearly endorsing a broad opposition alliance. The disagreement between the Congress and Raijor Dal was centred on seat sharing for the 2026 Assembly elections. The regional party argued that this effectively reduced its bargaining position from 27 seats to just four seats.
