Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Gaurav Gogoi kept his word as a massive joining programme was held today at Philobari in Tinsukia district, drawing thousands into the Congress fold. The event, part of a series of district-level joining programmes, saw nearly 9,500 people across the state, including leaders and workers from other parties, formally embrace Congress ideology.
Addressing the gathering, Gogoi strongly criticized the current state government for the so-called ‘Mami Tax’, which is being collected from anyone trying to start a business or create employment in Assam. “The Mami Tax is illegal. It crushes ordinary people under coal, sand, and supari syndicates. Once Congress comes to power, this burden will be removed,” he said. He also lamented the challenges faced by Assam’s tea industry, noting that even the state’s treasures, including tea, rhinos, oil, and the contributions of singer Zubeen Garg, are under attack today.
The Tinsukia event witnessed several BJP leaders and workers, including former district BJP president Lakheshwar Moran, joining Congress, citing disappointment with BJP policies and admiration for Congress’s principles. Nearly 1,000 people from various organizations in Philobari registered as new members. 
In Guwahati, over a hundred people joined the party under the initiative of the Guwahati District Congress Committee. The programme was attended by Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia, former presidents Ripun Bora and Bhupen Bora, former MP Abdul Khaleque, and AP Mahila Congress president Mira Barthakur. Lawyers from the Gauhati High Court, senior citizens, and former BJP members were among the new joiners.
Similar joining events took place in Jorhat, Sivasagar, Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, Kamrup (Rural), Dhubri, Nagaon, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Darrang, and Udalguri districts. In Sonitpur alone, around 200 people joined under the guidance of former MP Madhab Rajbanshi and MLA Shibamani Bora. Across 35 districts, approximately 9,500 people formally became Congress members today.
Speaking after the Tinsukia event, Gogoi said, “We have kept our promise. People no longer trust what Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says. After the central joining programmes on September 10 at Rajiv Bhawan and October 10 in Guwahati, thousands are now joining Congress through district-level programmes.” He also announced that the next joining programme will be held on December 10.
