Akhil Gogoi will be the party’s main cabinet candidate (file photo)
Guwahati:
Despite being jailed for months, Assam’s peasant rights activist Akhil Gogoi – who has been accused of sedition – has put his hat on politics with his organization Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti or KMSS which launched a political party, Raijor Dol. The launch in Guwahati coincided with the 151st anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
The party was formed with the support of 70 indigenous organizations, including Bir Lachit Sena who had flocked with the KMSS, to speak out against the Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA.
The party was officially announced by renowned filmmaker Jahnu Baruah who had extended his support alongside Assamese actor Zerifa Wahid and famous lawyer Arup Borbora.
“To raise their voices for the rights of indigenous peoples, they (70 organizations) came together and formed Raijor Dol,” Mr. Baruah said, who was followed by the sounds of Bhortal echoing in the conference hall of the ‘hotel where it was announced.
The party has laid out 20 points it will endeavor to work on, with a focus on repealing the CAA in Assam while giving the state international recognition.
KMSS founder Akhil Gogoi, who is currently incarcerated for his role in the anti-CAA protest, has been decided to be the new party’s chief adviser while 44 other positions have been allocated in the initial list.
“Our party will be the indispensable political alternative for the people of Assam so that they do not have to choose between the fascist BJP which had hurt the regional feelings of this state and the communal alliance Congress-All Assam United Democratic Front . It will be the inclusive voice of all indigenous Assamese devoid of caste, language, religion and ethnicity differences, ”said Bhasco De Saikia, Raijor Dol’s new state councilor.
Shedding light on their candidate chief minister, Mr Saikia said: “Akhil Gogoi will be”.
“We are trying to get him out of prison which he hopes for on October 15,” he added.
Last Thursday, Mr. Gogoi, against whom the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating cases, including one under the Prevention of Illegal Activities Act, secured bail for a case registered in Chabua in the Tinsukia district, in Upper Assam. He only needs to get bail for one case, filed at the Guwahati Police Station in Chandmari, scheduled for October 15, after which he can be released from prison.
Mr. Gogoi had envisioned the formation of a united regional party under the same flag and under the same banner, after which the KMSS wrote to the Assam Students Union and the united political party of Asom Jatiyatabad Yuba. Chatra Parishad, Assam Jatiya Parishad, for an alliance. The latter, however, did not go back.
“We still believe in a united regional voice against existing parties that have failed to voice the concerns of the people of Assam,” Saikia said.
