Lurinjyoti Gogoi accuses CM Sarma of using Mahmood Madani’s Assam Visit for political gain

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 2, 2025

Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi on Tuesday alleged that Mahmood Madani’s recent visit to Assam was orchestrated as part of a political strategy aimed at fuelling communal tension, accusing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of seeking to exploit the development for political advantage.

Addressing a press conference at Dibrugarh Sahitya Sabha Bhawan, Gogoi cautioned that Assam must remain vigilant against attempts by “outside forces—whether Hindu or Muslim communal elements” to disrupt harmony in the state.

Gogoi recalled that Assam had previously witnessed communal unease after provocative remarks from Delhi-based religious leaders. He pointed out that earlier, both Madani’s and Syeda Hameed’s statements had been used by Sarma’s camp to incite sentiment. However, Gogoi claimed those attempts failed once AJP exposed links between the leaders and the BJP.

“This time, when rhetoric alone did not succeed, a new plan was drawn up to bring Madani physically to Assam,” he said.

According to Gogoi, Madani avoided Guwahati’s Borjhar airport—only 125 km from Goalpara, his destination—and instead landed at Bagdogra in West Bengal, 350 km away, before entering Assam. He suggested this route was chosen because Section 144 had been imposed in Goalpara, restricting entry even for humanitarian groups. Despite the curbs, Gogoi said, Madani was given a police escort from Srirampur.

AJP leaders later traced Madani to AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal’s Goalpara residence near Karbala. Gogoi claimed Madani held discussions with AIUDF functionaries around 9 p.m. on the same day. According to Gogoi, the plan was for Madani to hold a press conference in Guwahati the next morning, demand Sarma’s arrest, and then leave the state—providing the Chief Minister’s “propaganda machinery” ample scope to amplify the issue.

Gogoi said AJP anticipated such a script and moved quickly to expose it. The party issued a press release at 8:30 p.m., went live on a local news channel at 9:02 p.m., and its general secretary posted on social media at 9:12 p.m. Shortly afterward, Sarma acknowledged Madani’s presence in a tweet at 9:21 p.m. and a Facebook post, asking police to remain alert.

“Why did the Chief Minister react only after we exposed the visit? Why was he silent all day? This clearly indicates a political motive,” Gogoi questioned.

He alleged that the broader plan was to bring Madani through Bengal, return him via Guwahati airport after dropping a “political bomb,” and allow Sarma to exploit the fallout. “But because we exposed it in time, Madani was compelled to remain cautious and did not make provocative remarks,” he added.

Gogoi argued that Madani refrained from inflammatory comments partly due to fear of legal action. “He knows if he utters anything provocative, we will file cases across Assam. Even if the present government shields him, a future one may not,” he warned.

Reaffirming AJP’s stand, Gogoi said, “We will not allow any communal force, be it Muslim or Hindu, to poison Assam’s atmosphere. The people of Assam and the media responded immediately, ensuring peace was preserved.”

Gogoi concluded with an appeal for continued public vigilance, stressing that unity and awareness among citizens remain the strongest safeguards against divisive agendas.