Guwahati, Feb 20 — All India Congress Committee general secretary Priyanka Gandhi concluded a two-day visit to Assam on Friday, during which she chaired screening committee meetings and held back-to-back strategy sessions with party leaders, district heads and Congress MLAs ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly polls. Gandhi, who is chairperson of the AICC screening committee for the election, remained engaged at Rajiv Bhawan into the early hours after a packed schedule on Thursday that included finalising candidate selections, party sources said.
On the final day of her visit, the Congress MP paid a floral tribute at Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur to the late singer Zubeen Garg, whom she described as a cultural icon. Speaking to reporters at Rajiv Bhawan after an organisational review with heads of various Assam Congress cells and departments, Gandhi said Zubeen “embodied the soul of Assam” and that his songs reflected the state’s civilisation and culture.
Recalling the public reaction to Garg’s death, she said, “When Zubeen Garg passed away, those of us who are not from Assam witnessed how deeply the people of Assam loved and respected him. Every family in Assam had tears in their eyes.” Gandhi called her visit an emotional, personal tribute and urged that Garg’s memory not be dragged into political contests. “This is my first visit to Assam after his demise. I could not have returned to Delhi without paying tribute to someone who meant so much to the people of Assam,” she added.
Responding to questions about allegations made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against Assam PCC chief Gaurav Gogoi, Gandhi criticised what she called a divisive style of politics. “There are two kinds of leaders in politics — positive and negative,” she said, contrasting leaders who focus on development, culture and unity with those who pursue conflict and attacks on families. Gandhi said the “attack on Gaurav Gogoi and his family should serve as an example of what is wrong in Indian and Assamese politics” and insisted that no one’s family should be targeted, especially on false charges.
Gandhi argued that Gogoi is being targeted because his opponents are “afraid” of a different, respectful politics that resonates with Assam’s people. She urged the chief minister to detail his achievements from the past five years and his plans for the next five, rather than making what she termed unnecessary statements to seek votes. Asked why Sarma was not made chief minister during his Congress tenure, Gandhi replied that political decisions sometimes go for or against you and must be accepted, adding, “If he is still lamenting about decisions taken a decade ago, what can I say?”
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/02/20/priyanka-winds-up-assam-tour-after-back-to-back-meetings-pays-tribute-to-zubeen/
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Publish Date: 2026-02-20 21:27:00
