'Nothing But Rantings Of A Frustrated Alliance'

Tarun Gogoi is perceived to be a "soft" leader not given to asserting himselfand at best, a stop gap arrangement till the elections are over in Assam. The AssamPradesh Congress Committee president and Lok Sabha member, who has been in politics forthree decades, is however unfazed by these perceptions. Right now, he says, his only jobis to concentrate on getting the party back to power in insurgency-ridden Assam. Havingled the Congress to two thumping wins in the 1998 and 1999 Lok Sabha elections, winningover 10 seats out of the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies, Gogoi is confident of a"hattrick". Excerpts from the interview.

The AGP and BJP have alleged that your party is taking help of the ULFA (UnitedLiberation Front of Asom) to win the elections by terrorising your opponents?

The AGP has been levelling that charge against us for two years now. Prafulla KumarMahanta even made this charge in the Assembly. He had written to the Home Ministry and hadclaimed that an enquiry was being conducted by the Centre. But L.K. Advani announced at aPress conference in Guwahati in March that there was no such probe. And now, when wedemanded that the government institute a CBI inquiry or a high-level judicial probe, theyhave remained silent. Now the Union Home Minister, and some of his senior colleagues likeMurali Manohar Joshi and Jana Krishnamurthy are levelling the same charge without anyproof. These are nothing but rantings of a frustrated alliance.

What is your opinion about the ULFA? Is it true that the rebel group wants the Congressto come to power?

We have never supported the ULFA. Nor have we sought its support. It is also not truethat the ULFA wants us. The Congress has suffered more at the hands of ULFA than the AGP.We lost two candidates during the 1996 elections when the AGP had sought support of themilitants.

What is your assessment of the ULFA's strength?

You don't need my assessment. Look at Mahanta. As Chief Minister, it was only a fewweeks back that he said the ULFA's backbone has been broken. Now that same ULFA is back inaction. And why should we support or seek support of the ULFA? We believe in the IndianConstitution.

Will you be able to solve the ULFA problem if you form the government?

We will try. We have an economic agenda. We are saying development first, peace willfollow. Others say, development will follow peace.

What is your assessment of the election outcome?

The AGP is already finished. The people are fed up of the so-called regional partybecause it has failed to govern. There is rampant corruption, the state finances are in a mess, and the law and order situation is at itsworst. It failed to give jobs to the increasing number of unemployed youth,government-owned industries and PSUs have closed down by the dozen. The people will pullit down even if we do not campaign.

How do you rate the AGP-BJP alliance?

It is an opportunistic alliance. What I do not understand is that how the BJP, supposedto be a national party, decided to ally with the AGP which supports the right toself-determination. It is a dangerous thing that has happened.

The AGP-BJP alliance had compelled you to change your strategy. Even the final list ofcandidates got delayed. How much are you worried that the AGP and BJP have joined hands?

The AGP-BJP alliance has come as a boon to the Congress. They have boosted the chancesof our victory. Look at how dissensions have crippled both parties following the alliance.The BJP has finished its own chances. Earlier we thought we would have to fight a risingBJP. But now it has suddenly become weak after tying up with the AGP.

But there is serious dissidence in the Congress too. Look at Nagaon. Veteran leaderslike Mukut Sharma and Rashidul Haque have quit.

Some people always complain when they do not get tickets. It is natural for every partyto have some disgruntled elements. I don't think they will affect us.

The tribal All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), an ally of the AGP and BJP has accused theCongress of protecting illegal Bangladeshi migrants and even fielding people with doubtfulorigin as candidates. They are saying the Congress is not bothered about the indigenouspeople of the state. What do you say?

We have not fielded any candidate who is of doubtful origin.

How do you rate Prafulla Kumar Mahanta?

He is corrupt and inefficient. He was named by the CBI in the letters of creditscandal. It was the Governor who saved him by refusing the CBI permission to prosecutehim.

What do you have to say about Governor S.K. Sinha?

Sinha is taking sides. He saved Mahanta in the LoC scandal. I have a strong suspicionthat Sinha played a key role in bringing the AGP and BJP to an alliance.

Initially you projected yourself as the candidate for the Chief Minister's post. Thenthe party said no. Now again you are being named as the CM candidate. Why this flip-flop?

It is up to the party. Kamal Nath has already announced last week that I am thecandidate.

Then why didn't you contest?

As APCC chief, I have to supervise all the 126 constituencies.