Assam: Desperate Congress uses Zubeen Garg death as poll plank

For want of a better narrative perhaps, the beleaguered Congress in Assam has locked in on the murder of cultural icon singer Zubeen Garg as a focus issue as the state heads into elections early next year.

And there’s always the ‘Save Constitution’ issue from the 2024 elections.

However, these moves say more about the Congress and its weaknesses against the BJP in the northeastern state, complete with scattered cadre, low morale of leaders, and dim engagement with grassroots-level workers. The party has also been unable to mount a substantive campaign with five months to go before the polls.

The state unit of Congress has locked its focus on the death of Zubeen Garg to build momentum in Assam, as well as to hopefully spark off anti-incumbency sentiments against BJP Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

Recently, top Assam Congress leaders like Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi and former state presidents Bhupen Kumar Bora and Ripun Bora alleged that a “powerful and invisible force” was behind Garg’s murder, accusing CM Sarma of withholding crucial information in the Assembly.

Gogoi also mentioned the manner in which CM Sarma hinted at a mastermind behind the killing, even as the Special Investigation Team was yet to file its chargesheet. 

“We will wait for a few days to see if the SIT reveals the truth, but the Chief Minister did not disclose everything in the Assembly,” Gogoi said.

Claiming that public trust in the Chief Minister was eroding, Gogoi alleged that the list of accused named so far were not the only culprits.

"There is a powerful person directing events from behind the scenes, and that information has not been made public.”

“People in villages will themselves tell you they do not believe the chief minister will ensure justice. Knowing his credibility is declining, he is trying to create confusion,” he said.

Congress' pain point in almost every state has been its weak cadre base. In Assam, its own leaders have deserted the party, which experts think may make it difficult for it to spread its message and establish a narrative on the ground.

A senior Congress leader said: "The party is already going through difficult times. We haven't been able to win even a single one-to-one election against the NDA or the BJP separately after the Lok Sabha elections, which has reduced cadre enthusiasm. Plus the leaders are also less motivated. That is across the state units and not only in Assam. The state needs lifting up, which will require frequent engagement of central leadership and state leadership with the grassroots-level workers. Without that it is very difficult to bring back the party on track."

According to senior Congress leaders, anti-incumbency alone will not work against incumbent BJP—it has to be the Opposition's efforts that can build momentum against the incumbent and expedite an anti-government sentiment. However, sources suggest Congress has not been able to spark off such an impact on the ground. 

In fact, for lack of any other strategy perhaps, the state leadership is trying to copy-paste the party’s 'Save Constitution' narrative, which was used extensively during the Lok Sabha elections.

Gogoi also organised a Samvidhan Diwas rally in Nagaon on Wednesday, trying to capture the imagination of people along the lines of the Lok Sabha poll narrative. 

“Our primary goal is to raise awareness about the Constitution. The Constitution is essential today. It is not just a legal document. Currently, there are attacks on the fourth pillar and other institutions, affecting indigenous people and the six ethnic groups of Assam. There is no democracy under BJP, leading to lawlessness. In this context, the Constitution inspires and empowers us. As defenders of the Constitution, we are here to protect it and oppose BJP govt for causing unrest in the country,” Gogoi said.