Q/ How do you see your role in the assembly, as a legislator or as an activist?
A/ I am trying to change the language of the assembly. Few MLAs raise harsh, tough, anti-BJP, anti-fascist questions. In that sense, I always take a hard stand in the assembly. I always stand as a hardcore Assamese activist. So, both inside and outside the assembly, I try to do my role as an MLA and as an activist.
Q/ What are the non-negotiables for Raijor Dal in an alliance with the Congress?
A/ I think the non-negotiable is ideology. In the BJP tenure, the entire state machinery has become autocratic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are acting like Hitler. So, the first non-negotiable is that if we come to power, we must act as a democratic force. The second non-negotiable is a non-corrupt government. Corruption is one of the major characteristics of the past governments. I must negotiate with the Congress for transparent governance, for a non-corrupt, pro-people government.
Q/ How is your coordination with the Congress right now?
A/ Usually, a big party initiates negotiations with smaller ones. But in Assam, the regional and smaller parties are trying to initiate unity. We are trying for unity, but the Congress leaders are a little reluctant. I hear that the Congress is not targeting 2026, but 2031.
Q/ So, the Congress is not serious about opposition unity?
A/ I don’t know if the Congress is reluctant, eager, or actually interested in unity. The people of Assam want to throw out this BJP government. But opposition unity has not been achieved yet. It must be finalised as soon as possible.
Q/ Upper Assam has become a BJP bastion. Do you see any churn there?
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A/ Yes. If the opposition becomes united, there will be a churn. Of the 46 seats in Upper Assam, more than 25 can come to us if we are united.
Q/ How did your time in jail change your politics?
A/ I have gone to jail 36 times. The last time, I stayed there for two years. Jail has had a great impact on my life. In there, I saw the real picture of Assam, which is poverty. In upper Assam jails, tea garden workers are in the majority. In lower Assam jails, Muslims are in the majority.
Q/ What does that tell you about Assam?
A/ It tells me that religion is not the main issue. Economic conditions are the biggest concern. Crime happens because of poverty, not religion or caste. Assam is one of the poorest states in India. We are number one in maternal mortality, and among the worst in infant mortality and school dropout rates.
Q/ Did jail influence your political agenda?
A/ Yes. From jail, I decided that Assam must change economically, through agriculture, business, and industry. I wrote my manifesto from jail because I had time to think deeply about these issues.
Q/ Why should people vote for the Raijor Dal?
A/ We want a progressive and pro-federal Assam. There is only one party in Assam that does not believe in communalism: Raijor Dal. Today, people fear that if they speak out, they will be jailed or killed in fake encounters. This autocratic system must be removed.