Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 11 accused Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi of repeatedly opposing major infrastructure projects in Assam, speaking to reporters at Swaraj Udyan in Jorhat. Sarma named the proposed elevated corridor through Kaziranga National Park, a planned flyover in Jorhat and an underwater tunnel linking Gohpur and Numaligarh as projects Gogoi had opposed.
“When the elevated corridor in Kaziranga was approved, Gaurav Gogoi opposed it. The same he did with regards to the flyover in Jorhat and the underwater tunnel between Gohpur and Numaligarh,” Sarma said, repeating his charge that Gogoi stands against key development initiatives.
Sarma further alleged that Gogoi does not want development in Assam or India and suggested Gogoi’s family ties to the United Kingdom influence his priorities. He made a controversial remark saying Gogoi would advocate development in England or Pakistan rather than at home.
The chief minister also criticised parts of the press and urged journalists to question Gogoi directly about his stance on infrastructure in Upper Assam. “I have seen journalists do not have the guts to question Gaurav Gogoi, but I would request scribes to ask him questions,” he said, adding that Gogoi had been against development across the entire Upper Assam region.
Addressing the upcoming elections, Sarma said several BJP leaders have expressed interest in contesting against Gogoi. He added that three BJP workers have been recommended as potential candidates and that the party’s parliamentary board is likely to meet soon. According to the chief minister, the BJP expects to announce its candidate list for all Assembly seats, including Jorhat, by March 17.
On the Teok Assembly seat, Sarma said the BJP must weigh its alliance commitments with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and that some constituencies may be allocated to alliance partners in the larger interest of the National Democratic Alliance. He noted that specific seat-sharing decisions have not yet been disclosed.
Sarma’s allegations place development and infrastructure at the centre of the pre-election debate in Assam, setting up a direct clash between the BJP and the Congress over projects such as Kaziranga’s elevated corridor, the Jorhat flyover and the Gohpur–Numaligarh tunnel.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/himanta-biswa-sarma-claims-gaurav-gogoi-would-prefer-development-in-england-or-pakistan-1358386-2026-03-12?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-12 09:09:00
