Silchar Has Potential to Be the Next Singapore: Gaurav Gogoi Slams BJP, Alleges 'Syndicate Raj' in Barak

The newly appointed President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, Gaurav Gogoi, is currently on a two-day visit to the flood-hit Barak Valley. Arriving in Silchar on Wednesday (June 4), Gogoi has visited several flood-affected areas and relief camps across Cachar.

Marking World Environment Day on Wednesday, Gogoi began his second day by planting saplings at the Silchar District Congress Office, accompanied by AICC General Secretary Prithviraj Sathe and local MLA Zakir Hussain Laskar. He also paid floral tributes to the statues of Indira Gandhi and former Congress stalwart from Silchar, Karnendu Bhattacharjee.

While engaging with the press, Gogoi launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of using Barak Valley merely for syndicate operations. “The Chief Minister is not interested in developing Barak. He is only collecting money from here with the help of a few ministers. Barak is being looted, be it coal, betel nut, stone, or cattle — all under syndicate raj,” he alleged.

Gogoi also claimed that developmental works initiated during the tenure of former CM Sarbananda Sonowal have come to a standstill under Himanta’s leadership. “The Mini Secretariat, District Library, flyover — all these dreams shown to Barak’s people remain incomplete just because of a political competition between Sarbananda Sonwal and Himanta Biswa Sarma. Even posts in Assam University, government hospitals lack doctors and posts of teachers in schools are lying vacant,” he said. He blamed the “political rivalry” between Sonowal and Sarma for the lack of progress in the valley.

Recalling his earlier visits to Silchar, Gogoi said, “When I first came here, I saw the potential for Silchar to become like Singapore. It has a rich history and is home to capable people. But instead of nurturing this potential, the BJP government is exploiting the region’s resources.”

Taking a dig at the BJP’s cow politics, Gogoi questioned, “If they can politicise in the name of cows, why can’t they stop cattle smuggling in Barak? It’s their government both at the Centre and in the State.”

He also highlighted the ongoing disconnection between Sribhumi and Cachar due to the floods and blamed the BJP government for its poor planning and preparedness.

Later in the day, Gogoi visited the Bhasha Shahid Smarak at Tarapur Railway Station and paid floral tributes. Addressing the controversy surrounding the proposed renaming of the station, Gogoi said the Congress party stands with the people of Silchar and supports their sentiments.