Gaurav Gogoi slams CM Himanta Biswa Sarma for undermining Sixth Schedule Autonomy

A CORRESPONDENT

DIPHU: During a two-day party visit to Karbi Anglong district, Gaurav Gogoi, president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and Deputy Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, addressed a press meet in Diphu, raising serious concerns over the erosion of autonomy in Sixth Schedule areas under the current Assam government. Gogoi accused Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma of undermining the fundamental principles of the Sixth Schedule, which grants special autonomy to tribal regions, and violating the spirit of the Indian Constitution.

Gogoi highlighted that during the 15-year tenure of former Chief Minister Late Tarun Gogoi, power was decentralized to empower local councils like the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Dima Hasao Autonomous Council (DHAC), and Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). However, he alleged that under the current regime, all decision-making powers are centralized in the hands of the Chief Minister. “The councils are being run by remote control from Dispur, with the Chief Minister making unilateral decisions, sidelining the council chiefs,” Gogoi stated. The Congress leader further accused CM Sarma of acting like a “real estate broker” by allocating thousands of bighas of indigenous peoples’ land to corporate houses, severely undermining the rights and autonomy of Sixth Schedule areas. Gogoi also pointed to unresolved border disputes with Meghalaya as another failure of the state government.

While traveling to Guwahati, Gogoi recorded a short video highlighting the controversial construction of a lavish residence for the Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, likening it to the “Sheesh Mahal” controversy associated with a former Delhi CM.

Gogoi was accompanied by APCC working president Rosleena Tirky, Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee President Bidya Sing Rongpi, and prominent party workers during his visit.

Also Read: Gaurav Gogoi faces protests in Karbi Anglong amid warm Congress welcome

Also Watch: