Gaurav Gogoi says BJP joiners become ‘insignificant,’ challenges CM Himanta Sarma to debate on Hinduism
Addressing a press conference here, Gogoi said former state Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah, who is likely to switch to the BJP on February 22, will also suffer the same fate.
The Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha also challenged Prime Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to a “face-to-face” debate on Hinduism to check who is knowledgeable about the true morality of the religion.
“Those who joined the BJP have become irrelevant. We can see the example of Sarbananda Sonowal and many more. AGP (Sonowal’s previous party) is on the verge of extinction. I don’t think I need to talk specifically about Bhupen Borah’s joining the BJP,” he said.
Gogoi said the fight in the upcoming assembly elections will be between the “real Congress and the old Congress”.
“BJP is full of former Congress leaders who were the most corrupt during Congress’ 15-year rule in the state. We will basically fight among ourselves in the elections,” he said.
Talking about the Prime Minister calling Borah the “last Hindu leader” in the Congress, Gogoi claimed that Sarma was the “Jinnah of Assam” and should stop issuing “Hindu certificates” to politicians. “I want to challenge Himanta Biswa Sarma to an open discussion about Hinduism. Let’s see who knows better and more details about the Hindu religion. Let’s see if he will dare to accept my challenge? But I know he will never accept it.”
Gogoi questioned Sarma’s devotion to the Hindu religion, citing the alleged cow syndicate in the state.
“A person who encourages and allows a cow union cannot be a true Hindu. He (Sarma) is the Jinnah of Assam and has no right to issue Hindu certificates to others,” Gogoi said.
While there was a setback in the Congress ahead of the Assam assembly elections, the CM had announced on Tuesday that Borah will join the BJP on February 22.
Sarma had visited former state Congress chief Borah’s house in Guwahati on February 17, a day after the senior leader resigned from the opposition party.
“Congress is like an ocean; we are all drops of water in it. Congress was there long before our fathers and forefathers existed. Bhupen Borah’s departure will not affect our party’s prospects in the assembly polls,” Gogoi said. he said.
He also stated that Sarma accused Borah of making inappropriate moves towards women last week and opened a police investigation against him, and asked what will happen to the case now.
“The CM publicly criticized Borah in the case. His police filed a case against senior Congress leaders Debabrata Saikia and Mira Borthakur along with Borah. The police even interrogated them. And now Borah has suddenly become a major Hindu leader!” Gogoi claimed.
