Guwahati, April 7 Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated on Tuesday that the opposition alliance will form the government in Assam by winning approximately 73 seats out of the 126 assembly constituencies in the upcoming elections.
Addressing a press conference here, he described Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the "most corrupt" in India and sought comments from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on this.
"The Congress-led alliance is going to form the next government in Assam. We will win 72-73 seats," Kharge claimed.
He said the Congress survey team has indicated that the opposition alliance will form the government.
When asked if Congress state chief Gaurav Gogoi would become the CM if the Congress-led alliance forms the government, Kharge said: "Our party policy is that all the elected MLAs will sit and decide their leader. They will inform the high command, who will then announce the CM."
Alliance partners Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi have repeatedly stated in election rallies that Gogoi will be the CM from the opposition bloc.
Polling for the 126-member Assam Assembly will be held on April 9, with votes being counted on May 4.
Kharge also criticized Sarma over corruption charges.
"No CM in India is as arrogant and egoistic as him. Himanta Biswa Sarma is only focused on developing his family's interests. He is controlling all industries – tea, schools, coal, eggs, land, and areca nuts," Kharge alleged.
He claimed that all of Sarma's cabinet colleagues are "corrupt" and "own vast properties," while large corporate houses are "grabbing land" in the state.
Kharge sought comments from Mohan Bhagwat on the corruption charges against the Assam CM. He also requested the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to address Himanta Biswa Sarma. "Why is there no investigation, when you said 'Na khaunga, na khane doonga'?" Kharge asked.
The opposition has frequently referenced PM Modi's pledge to eliminate corruption – "Na khaunga, na khane doonga" – and criticized him, alleging it was mere rhetoric.
Kharge drew attention to Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi's assets and sought to compare them with those of Sarma.
Asked about Congress Spokesperson Pawan Khera's allegations that Sarma's wife possesses three foreign passports and owns assets abroad, Kharge said all agencies are under the central government, which should investigate the charges.
"A coal will always remain black, even if you clean it a hundred times. They have already filed an FIR against Khera. Let them investigate. We will face the case as it progresses. We have sought investigations by the ED or CBI into the allegations," he added.
Kharge stated that the BJP runs a "double-engine government" at both the Centre and in Assam, so it should immediately investigate the allegations.
"The Foreign Minister is from your party. The State Minister is also from your party and from this state. Let them provide clarification if it's fake," he added.
Kharge also claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi "has no right" to talk about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi or the Gandhi family, whose members have sacrificed their lives to unite the country.
"When all parties had selected Sonia Gandhi as the prime minister twice, she rejected it and chose renowned economist Manmohan Singh for the post. Can anyone make such a sacrifice?" he asked.
Kharge also pointed out that no member of the Gandhi family has become prime minister or chief minister since 1989, and "Modi is lying".
"Those who are less intelligent call Congress pro-Muslim and pro-Pakistan," he said, in response to the charge that the opposition party indulges in appeasement of minorities.
The Congress chief also criticized the Assam government over the alleged delay in setting up the fast-track court in the Zubeen Garg death case.
"For six months, the BJP government did not set up the fast-track court... Once our government is formed, we will ensure justice for Zubeen Garg and punish the culprits within 100 days," he added.
The Congress chief also said that as the "opposition alliance is forming the next government, women in Assam don't need to fear".
"All the existing schemes will continue, with an enhanced amount. All women will receive benefits unconditionally. The BJP gives benefits only to those women who attend their rallies and threatens to remove their names if they don't come," he said.
"The country is more important. A good government is important. If the CM is corrupt, the entire governance and administration will be affected. It (the election) is not our fight. It's Himanta Biswa Sarma versus the people, who are coming out now. We are just standing with the people," he added.
AICC general secretary and in charge of Assam, Jitendra Singh, said the party has filed a complaint with the Election Commission regarding Sarma's wife allegedly possessing assets abroad and not declaring the same in the poll affidavit.
"There are a lot of discrepancies in the affidavit. We don't have much hope from the EC, which works like the BJP's arm. If needed, we will approach the Supreme Court. Himanta Biswa Sarma will be disqualified even if he becomes the CM," he claimed.
Asked if some senior Congress leaders leaving the party to join the BJP would affect it, Kharge said "traitors" have left, and it will have no impact on its performance in the election.