Guwahati: Former Assam Pradesh Youth Congress vice-president Rakesh Chakraborty joined Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal on Thursday, with around 50 leaders and workers from Goalpara, in a setback to the Congress.Raijor Dal leaders said Chakraborty’s exit was significant as he comes from lower Assam, one of Congress’s remaining strongholds.Chakraborty, also an Assam PCC spokesperson, resigned from Congress earlier this week, accusing the leadership under APCC president Gaurav Gogoi of hurting its prospects in the state.Previously associated with Gogoi’s Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and its student wing, Satra Mukti Sangram Samiti, Chakraborty said he joined Congress when it was in crisis after losing power at the Centre and in Assam a decade ago.“Congress’s socialist and secular ideals, its historic role in India’s freedom movement, and the efforts of its leaders — from Gopinath Bordoloi to Tarun Gogoi — to safeguard regional interests despite being a national party, drew me towards Congress. Today, we have seen that the party has moved away from the very ideals on which it was founded,” Chakraborty said.He alleged that personal and family connections mattered more than merit in Congress and that its leaders failed to address people’s concerns. He also accused Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain of interfering in the party’s organisational affairs across Assam. “Gaurav Gogoi is not politically mature,” Chakraborty added.Akhil welcomed new entrants, including Goalpara Youth Congress former functionaries Bishnu Das, Mrinmoy Medhi, Sahidul Islam and Tazik Ahmed; Goalpara East Mandal former president Nur Yasin Haque; former student leader Sakibul Islam; and Gauhati high court advocate Zakir Hussain.“As the president of Raijor Dal, I extend a warm welcome to everyone to our party. I hope that all members will work with honesty and renewed energy in the coming days, remaining dedicated to the party,” said Akhil.
