Not happy as MLA, could raise people's issues more earlier, says Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi

Akhil Gogoi had filed a number of RTI applications and court cases on a range of issues, including land rights, and exposed a number of scams in Assam

Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi, who made history by winning Assembly polls from jail in 2021, on March 12, 2023 said he is not happy being a legislator compared to his activism days, when the former peasant leader could raise "people's issues" more "directly and strongly".

The first-time MLA from Sibsagar constituency also claimed that he is alone playing the role of opposition by criticising and protesting all the "anti-people" decisions of the government as other non-ruling parties have become "silent".

"I am not happy with this post of MLA. I am an activist. I fight against all anti-people activities of the Government of India as well as the state government," Mr. Gogoi told PTI in an interview.

Raijor Dal, Gogoi's political party, has been fighting against various issues such as corporatisation of resources of India, "fascist" atmosphere, and "communal and undemocratic spirit" of the government.

Asked specifically if there was more scope of fighting for people's causes while being an activist and he was more happy during his earlier stint, Mr. Gogoi said: "Yes, definitely. I was more happy in the days of activism. Now, I am a legislator.

"In the Assam Assembly, I am the only opposition who fight against this communal BJP government. We have 51 opposition MLAs. But many of the oppositions voted in favour of BJP in Rajya Sabha and President elections." When pointed out that the allegation was against him also that he had voted for BJP during the President's election, the Independent MLA denied the charge and claimed that he has been fighting against the "BJP's communal and casteist politics all along".

Mr. Gogoi had started his social life by starting the peasant organisation Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and raised a series of issues relating to the farmers livelihood and settlement for almost two decades of this century.