Guwahati, November 4: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha Deputy Leader of Opposition Gaurav Gogoi has accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of being worried about the possibility of a Congress government returning to power at the Centre. In a post on X, Gogoi alleged that the Chief Minister could face jail over alleged wrongdoing and corruption once the Modi government falls.
Gogoi claimed that the prospect of the Congress returning to power at the Centre had deprived Sarma of sleep. He alleged that details of several alleged misdeeds and corrupt practices concealed by the Chief Minister would soon come before the public.
The Congress leader also launched a sharp attack on the state government over the recent increase in electricity charges. Describing the hike as the Chief Minister’s “Diwali gift”, Gogoi alleged that the BJP government had imposed another financial burden on electricity consumers ahead of the festival.
According to Gogoi, the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) has been allowed to recover ₹155.59 crore in accumulated power purchase costs from consumers over the next five months. He alleged that the amount would ultimately be collected directly from the pockets of ordinary residents.
Gogoi also questioned the state government's financial priorities, alleging that while thousands of crores of rupees were being allocated for beneficiary schemes and election-related promises, the burden of public financial management was being passed on to ordinary people.
Raising concerns over the state's rising debt, the Congress leader criticised the government's agreement with Adani Power for the purchase of 3,200 MW of electricity. He alleged that the agreement includes provisions for compensating APDCL for potential losses arising from excess power generation.
Citing an investigative report by The Reporters' Collective, Gogoi claimed that the potential financial burden on the state exchequer under the arrangement could rise to ₹12,566 crore over five years.
He accused the state government of making promises of free schemes to win elections, subsequently passing their financial burden on to the public, while protecting the interests of large corporate groups. Gogoi also questioned whether this was the development model being promoted by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.