Assam Election 2011: The rise of AIUDF, “who is Tarun Gogoi?

The Congress under the leadership of Tarun Gogoi, may have created history in the 2011 election but alongside more negative history have been written too. The marginalization of the AGP and the rise of AIUDF, which is perhaps of more serious concern in nature for the state of Assam.

The fact that Tarun Gogoi had once said “Who is Baddaruddin” might have yielded good results for the congress but nevertheless it had demoralized the AIUDF, instead the AIUDF had hit congress harder than any one had expected. No doubt that the AIUDF is a sister party of the Congress and the sentiments of the scrapping of the IMDT had paved its way for revolting against the congress. Thus Tarun Gogoi saying "Who is Baddaruddin" is not a high voltage shock, but Baddaruddin's reply in this election, asking openly in a public meeting “Who is Tarun Gogoi” is indeed a high voltage shock for the Assamese people in general.

As a politician Tarun Gogoi might have overlooked the gesture of the AIUDF president because he knows for a right political equation there is no untouchability with the AIUDF. After all the Chief Minister, have been saying doors are open for any political party including the AIUDF, to join the congress. Thus the saying “Who is Baddarrudin” can just be considered as a shallow “Dialogue” brought out of political context, sentimentally or whatsoever and not practically. But Baddaruddin's answer to Tarun Gogoi, was not undetermined or said out of context. The homework was well done and was said in the proper time in a proper place. This was a real avenge. Had it been an emotional reply Baddaruddin could have easily replied Tarun Gogoi, long before. But one thing in this political drama is sure that both the parties have no ideological Clash, in fact it was all personal. After all the congress was never against the IMDT and it was doom’s day for the congress party in the state when Sarbanda Sonwal was given a hero’s welcome after the scarping of the IMDT act. It had definitely given same pain both to the congress leaders and Baddaruddin too. The big brother was helpless at that time, and had things were in the hands of the congress a barrier between the Congress and the AIUDF was unthinkable. Believing that politics is a game of Uncertainty precaution is the best medicine. Yet politics should not be put over emotions and expectations of the masses and social values of a society, but this is what is happening and people are losing faith is democratically elected politicians.

The real taste of “Who is Tarun Gogoi” begins with the formation of the new government. Tarun Gogoi will have to answer not to Baddaruddinn but to the people of Assam and thus not in a shallow sense. The real answer comes with updating the NRC as soon as possible, deporting foreigners, disposing Cases in the foreigners tribunals, sealing the Bangladesh Border (taking up it with the center) and then comes the ULFA issue, employment issue and others.

One important thing, Tarun Gogoi, should not take long time to realize ground reality, or devaluing serious issues like cheaply comparing his status with some fallen hero’s of the opposition every now and then. It is known to all how earlier Tarun Gogoi had always said that Hindu Bangladeshi’s are foreigners and not refugees but this time he admitted at a press conference before the election that it took him 10 years to understand that Hindu Bangladeshis are in fact refugees and not to be treated like illegal Bangladeshis, thus echoing what the BJP have been saying for so long long time. Once Gogoi had criticised the BJP for giving refugee tags to the Bangladeshi Hindus, but now things have changed for Gogoi and his new stand has perhaps helped him to gain voted in the Barak Valley. Hope it doesn’t another 10 years for Tarun Gogoi, to understand that there are foreigners in the state and thus have to stop pretending to appease the minorities. Finally let Tarun Gogoi, give no second chance to Baddarruddin Ajmal to dare to ask him “WHO IS TARUN GOGOI.” , and if Tarun Gogoi fails to update the NRC and solve other related issues, I am afraid.