Just like his father Tarun Gogoi once did, Gaurav Gogoi has now taken the reins of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee during a period of deep crisis. History seems to be echoing itself—just as Tarun Gogoi took charge in difficult times, Gaurav Gogoi has stepped into leadership at a similarly critical moment for the Congress in Assam.
After much speculation and anticipation, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has appointed Gaurav Gogoi, a sitting Member of Parliament, as the new President of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee. This decision comes at a time when the Congress party in Assam is grappling with a decade of continuous setbacks, organizational weakening, and a wave of defections.
The responsibility of reviving the Congress in Assam now squarely rests on Gaurav Gogoi’s shoulders. He faces the challenging task of rebuilding the party’s structure, reconnecting with the people, and restoring public confidence—all during one of the most testing phases in the party’s recent history in the state.
It’s worth remembering that his father, the late Tarun Gogoi—who later served three consecutive terms as Chief Minister—had also led the Assam Congress during its toughest times. Tarun Gogoi was appointed APCC President twice, each time during a severe political and organizational crisis. His first term began in 1986, following the turbulent six-year-long Assam Movement, which left the Congress in disarray. The party’s base had fractured, and public support had significantly waned.
Despite these odds, Tarun Gogoi took charge and served as APCC president from 1986 to 1990. Under his leadership, the party recovered and went on to win the 1991 state assembly elections. This victory marked the return of Congress to power under the leadership of Hiteswar Saikia.
He was reappointed as APCC president in 1996, once again during a low point for the party. After military operations carried out under the guise of suppressing insurgency, the party lost public support and was defeated in the state elections. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), led by Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, came to power. Tarun Gogoi took over the reins of the state Congress again and led the party from 1996 to 2002. It was during this time that the party managed to reconnect with the people, regaining popularity and forming the government in 2001 with Tarun Gogoi as Chief Minister. This began a successful run, with Congress ruling Assam for three consecutive terms under his leadership.
Today, the Congress in Assam is again navigating a difficult path, and Gaurav Gogoi has been chosen to guide it through. Just as Tarun Gogoi twice led the party from decline to resurgence, expectations now rest on his son to emulate that legacy. As Gaurav steps forward to take on this monumental task, all eyes will be on him to see whether he can script a new chapter of revival for the Assam Congress—one that honors his father’s legacy while forging his path forward.
