Assam Congress President and Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi today criticised the central government on several issues. Speaking to reporters, Gogoi raised concerns about the recent killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, alleged large-scale corruption in the Jal Jeevan Mission in several Upper Assam districts, and questioned the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the state after singer Zubeen Garg’s death.
Gogoi said the Congress strongly condemns the “inhumane” incident in Bangladesh. He said a Hindu man was killed there recently and such repeated incidents must be taken seriously. “We condemn all such incidents in Bangladesh. The central government must look into this issue,” he said. He added that the matter should concern India because Bangladesh shares a border with Assam and the Northeast, and any unrest in the neighbouring country can affect the region. Gogoi urged the Centre to take up the matter diplomatically, saying India should express concern and demand protection for minorities living in Bangladesh.
Turning to domestic matters, Gogoi alleged that the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme in Assam has been misused by the BJP government. He said Congress workers first exposed corruption in Dhemaji district and later found similar irregularities in other Upper Assam districts such as Lakhimpur and Sivasagar. “In Dhemaji, the Jal Jeevan Mission has been destroyed and corrupted,” he said. According to Gogoi, funds meant for drinking water schemes were diverted, and the government “used poor people to loot money in the name of the Jal Jeevan Mission.” He said the Congress has now begun highlighting the alleged corruption across the state, and will continue demanding accountability from the BJP-led government. 
Gogoi claimed that contractors linked to the ruling party benefited from inflated bills and poor-quality construction under the scheme. He said villages across Upper Assam still lack reliable drinking water supply despite crores of rupees being sanctioned. He demanded a detailed investigation and said guilty officials and contractors must be punished. Gogoi alleged that instead of strengthening public infrastructure, the government turned an essential welfare programme into an opportunity for corruption.
Gogoi also criticised the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Assam following the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg. He said the Prime Minister came to Assam for political reasons rather than to show empathy to the bereaved family or the state’s people. “You all saw that the Prime Minister came to Assam after the death of Zubeen Garg for the first time. He came for political motive,” Gogoi said. The Prime Minister stayed in the state for two days but, according to Gogoi, did not visit the family of the late singer or the Zubeen Kshetra memorial.
Gogoi said the Prime Minister spoke against the Congress during his visit, but did not take time to meet Zubeen Garg’s family members or pay tribute. “At least he should have visited the family of Zubeen Garg. He could also have visited Zubeen Kshetra,” he said. Gogoi added that the Prime Minister could have announced Bharat Ratna for Zubeen Garg, which many fans and admirers across Assam have demanded. Gogoi said it appeared that the Prime Minister had “no emotions” for the people of Assam and that his priorities were limited to political messaging and optics.
He further alleged that the Prime Minister is “camera-friendly” and focused on scripted speeches and political staging rather than genuine concern for Northeast issues. Gogoi said, “He is very much concerned about camera and politics. He writes scripts for his speech. He decides when the people will clap for him.” Gogoi added that people in the region feel neglected when national leaders visit only during elections or political rallies without addressing long-standing problems.
Gogoi extended his criticism to the Prime Minister’s visit to Manipur earlier this year. He said the Prime Minister did not meet victims of violence or take meaningful steps to restore peace in the state. “Modi went to Manipur also. He never said or did anything for Manipur,” Gogoi said. According to him, people across the Northeast believe that New Delhi remembers the region only when it suits political interests.
Gogoi said the people of Assam and the Northeast expect empathy, respect and accountability from the Centre. He said citizens do not want staged events and political drama. He added that national leaders must listen to the voices of people in the border regions, where issues such as illegal migration, ethnic tensions and development gaps require sensitive handling.
The Congress leader said that his party will continue raising issues of corruption, injustice and neglect. He said strengthening democracy means demanding transparency and responsibility from those in power. Gogoi said corruption in welfare schemes affects the poorest families the most, and such practices must not be tolerated. He said the Congress will stand with affected citizens and expose corruption wherever it exists.
