Assam: Akhil Gogoi criticises BJP-RSS following Rajen Gohain’s resignation
Guwahati: Raijor Dal chief and Assam's Sivasagar legislator Akhil Gogoi on Thursday issued a statement criticizing the BJP and RSS, alleging that the party is moving away from its ideological roots and becoming a platform for "corrupt Congress leaders."
Gogoi made the remarks on Thursday via social media in Assamese, following former Union Minister Rajen Gohain’s recent resignation from the BJP.
He stated that the party has "lost its moral core’ and has become a platform for ‘power-hungry and corrupt politicians.”
“The RSS-BJP’s job now is to rehabilitate corrupt Congressmen who built mountains of money through corruption,” Gogoi remarked. He further asserted that the "old BJP, which was built with the blood and sweat of dedicated workers, has been pushed aside.”
Gogoi claimed that senior and long-serving BJP leaders, including Ashok Sharma, Rajen Gohain, Yudhishthir Gogoi, Bhaban Mohan, R. P. Sharma, Meera Barthakur, and Pradyut Bora, have been sidelined or forced to leave the party under pressure from new entrants, many of whom were formerly Congress leaders.
He used a metaphor comparing the current BJP to a kitchen where “those who only know how to sprinkle salt are made cooks, while the real chefs are thrown out.”
Gogoi also accused the ruling BJP-RSS establishment of betraying the values of true nationalism and using religion for political gains.
He said their version of nationalism prioritises political interests and that their Hindutva policies promote communalism and casteism.
Gogoi further claimed that the BJP-RSS combine seeks only to maintain power by allowing large corporations access to resources while increasing costs for ordinary citizens. He concluded that Assam has “gained nothing” from the BJP’s rule except the rise of divisive politics and “shameless corruption.”
The BJP was contacted for comment regarding these allegations but did not issue an official statement by the time of publication.
Rajen Gohain’s resignation earlier has triggered fresh debate within the Assam BJP, highlighting internal differences.
Political analysts note that Akhil Gogoi’s statements reflect a broader attempt by the opposition to highlight ideological dilution within the saffron party.
This critique is the latest in a series targeting both the state and central leadership of the BJP, as Raijor Dal positions itself as a regional, anti-establishment voice ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.