Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly and senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has alleged that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has set up its party office on land that was originally sanctioned for a government project worth Rs 100 crore to study the flow pattern of the Brahmaputra River.
Addressing the media, Saikia said the project was launched to conduct scientific research on the Brahmaputra so that the government could better understand the river’s course, erosion behaviour and flood pattern. He said that the project was approved with public money and a large amount had already been spent from the state exchequer.
However, he claimed that the project land has now been used for constructing a BJP party office instead of the proposed river-study centre. He questioned how a political party could occupy land linked to a government project funded by taxpayers. 
He added that there is still no clear public information on what happened to the research work that was supposed to be carried out under the project. He alleged that there has been no transparent report on the progress, results, or use of the funds that were sanctioned for the study.
The senior Congress leader stated that projects meant for people’s welfare should not be diverted for political use. He said the Brahmaputra affects millions of lives every year through floods and erosion, and therefore the study project was of great importance.
He alleged that the BJP, instead of ensuring that the project was completed, turned the location into party infrastructure. Saikia said this raises questions about priorities and governance.
He further said that people in Assam deserve to know what happened to the project and whether the sanctioned funds were used properly. He called for transparency and accountability from the government.
Saikia also criticised the Assam Chief Minister, alleging that the ruling party uses communal issues to distract citizens from real problems such as unemployment, price rise, floods, erosion and development challenges.
“To divert attention from Assam’s core problems, the Chief Minister has resorted to communal politics on issues like Hindu-Muslim relations, Ajan Pir and other matters,” he said.
He said the government often brings up emotional or religious topics whenever there is public anger or dissatisfaction over governance-related concerns. According to him, such tactics divide people instead of solving real-life issues.
The Opposition leader also said that the BJP frequently talks about history and promises a golden future but fails to protect the present.
He said the government should focus on basic needs such as employment, security, education, healthcare, agriculture, and flood control instead of political showmanship or polarising debates.
Saikia claimed that when serious issues arise, the ruling party makes evasive remarks rather than giving clear answers.
The Congress leader also mentioned that several schemes and projects in Assam have seen delays or controversy. He said people want job opportunities, better infrastructure, and relief from natural disasters like floods and erosion.
He alleged that despite big announcements, progress on the ground has often been slow. He said that when questions are raised about policy failures, the public is instead shown political drama and communal narratives.
Saikia also referred to government initiatives linked to welfare schemes and rural employment programmes. He said many of these need better implementation and regular monitoring so that common citizens benefit directly.
The Leader of the Opposition said that political parties must remember that they are elected to serve the people, not themselves. He said using public resources for political activities sets a wrong example.
He added that the government should respect democratic responsibility and financial discipline. He said that the public property and funds must always remain dedicated to public interest.
Saikia said the Congress has governed Assam in the past and accepts both its achievements and shortcomings. But he said the responsibility of the current ruling party is to govern the state honestly, transparently and fairly.
He stressed again that the Brahmaputra study project was important for Assam because erosion and flooding remain serious and recurring problems. Many people lose homes, farmland and livelihoods every year.
Research on the river’s changing flow could have helped in planning embankments, flood control and disaster management, he said. He questioned why such a vital project appears to have been sidelined.
The Congress leader indicated that the Opposition may bring this issue up more strongly in the public domain and in the Assembly. He said the matter concerns governance, public trust and the fair use of state resources.
He added that democratic systems require questioning and transparency and Opposition parties have a duty to raise matters of public interest.
