Assam: CPI fields lawyer Krishna Gogoi in Thowra against RD client Dhaijjya Konwar

GUWAHATI: The emergence of lawyer Krishna Gogoi as the CPI candidate in the upcoming Thowra by-elections against his former client Dhaijjya Konwar of Raijor Dal (RD) points at the state of the Opposition unity in Assam.
The Mahajot, led by Congress, is still not decided on whom to take on board in its fight against the BJP.
Krishna Gogoi is known in legal circles for his untiring efforts to free Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) leader and RD president Akhil Gogoi, his deputy Dhaijjya and other anti-CAA activists lodged in jail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) when the agitation against the new citizenship law took a violent turn in December 2019.
After 18 months in jail when it seemed that all roads to free Akhil were blocked, it was Gogoi and his team that the peasant body had faith in. Dhaijjya, the second most prominent leader of the KMSS, got bail in July 2020, a year before Akhil got bail. Krishna and his team were given the credit for Dhaijjya’s bail.
The BJP's probable nominee is Sushanta Borgohain, but the Congress is yet to announce its candidate in Thowra, which is its stronghold. In the last assembly election, the CPI was a part of the Congress-led Mahajot.
"The Opposition disunity has compelled the CPI to announce the candidature from Thowra. We wanted Opposition unity in this by-election but there was no serious intention in the Congress or the Raijor Dal to fight against fascism," Krishna told TOI on Wednesday.
He termed both the Congress and RD as paper tigers against BJP's 'fascist aggression' and accused both the Opposition parties of only trying to fulfill their party agenda.
Krishna said RD approached him multiple times asking him to step down. "Why doesn’t the Raijor Dal step down?" he asked instead.
Dhaijjya and Krishna have shared very close relations in the past. They were hostel roommates when they studied at the Dispur Law College. "It's painful that I am contesting against my dear friend. Political parties are to be blamed for this clash," Krishna added.
He also accused the Congress of trying to suppress smaller parties. Though CPI was in no mood to break away from the Mahajot, Krishna said the new Assam PCC president Bhupen Borah did nothing to strengthen the alliance.
Though the CPI influence has declined in Sivasagar, dedicated cadres of the Left party are still leading the campaign silently. "If we get the votes of people who have principles, that's enough," said Krishna.
On the other hand, RD is focussing on street corners and courtyard meetings to reach out to maximum households. Dhaijjya said 30,000 votes may swing the pendulum in his favour in Thowra, which has 1.15 lakh registered voters. Most importantly, RD is expecting a big turn-around this time. Akhil’s victory in adjacent Sivasagar in the last election is expected to have a big impact in Thowra.
"Akhil Gogoi's victory against BJP and Congress from the high profile Sivasagar seat has proved RD's popularity. We are 100 per cent sure of victory in Thowra where the sentiments are the same," said Dhaijyya. The undivided Sivasagar district was a stronghold of the CPI, with their two most influential leaders, late Pramod Gogoi and Drupad Borgohain, hailing from the upper Assam district.
The RD president has not attacked Krishna or CPI but went all out against Sushanta who joined BJP after stepping down as a Congress MLA recently. "The people have denounced Sushanta as a turncoat. He betrayed the voters who voted against the BJP in the last election," said Akhil.
He felt that Congress lacks strong candidates to win. "Even if Congress wins any seat, people fear they can join the ruling party for power," Akhil said. The tea garden workers are the only hurdles for RD in Thowra, he felt.
There are over 26,000 voters in the gardens, and in the last election, 60 per cent were with Congress and the rest with the BJP.