Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi on Thursday issued a direct challenge to Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia, asking him to swear his innocence in the name of Goddess Kamakhya amid allegations of voter list manipulation.
The statement, made in Guwahati’s political context, links the controversy to the Kamakhya Temple, one of the city’s most revered religious sites, bringing both administrative and cultural attention to the issue.
Akhil Gogoi has challenged Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia to swear innocence at Guwahati’s Kamakhya Temple over allegations of instructing voter list deletions. Gogoi said he invited Saikia to take the oath before the goddess and claimed he received no response, escalating the political dispute centered in Guwahati.
What Gogoi Alleged
Addressing reporters, Gogoi alleged that Dilip Saikia had instructed party workers to identify and delete around 10,000 voter names believed to be unfavourable to the BJP. These allegations have not been independently verified, and no official confirmation has been issued by election authorities at the time of reporting.
Gogoi said the challenge was meant to publicly establish truth and accountability in a matter he claims affects democratic processes.
Kamakhya Temple at the Centre of the Challenge
Gogoi said he called Saikia multiple times, urging him to visit the Kamakhya Temple and swear in the name of the goddess that the allegations were false.
“I called Dilip da thrice yesterday to ask him to go to Kamakhya temple and swear in the name of the goddess if I have lied. I will also accompany him and swear that what I told was the truth,” Gogoi told reporters.
Statement Made During Party Event
The remarks were made after Gogoi visited Zubeen Garg’s Samadhi Khetra in Guwahati to mark the foundation day of his party, Raijor Dal. The timing and location added visibility to the statement, drawing attention within the city’s political circles.
Gogoi accused the BJP state leadership of avoiding public accountability on the issue.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati, as Assam’s administrative capital and home to key institutions including the Kamakhya Temple, often becomes the focal point of major political controversies. Linking the voter list allegations to a religious oath has intensified public discourse in the city.
The issue also comes amid heightened scrutiny of electoral rolls in Guwahati and Kamrup (Metro), making the allegations particularly sensitive.
What Happens Next
As of now, there has been no public response from Dilip Saikia regarding the challenge. Election authorities have also not commented on the specific allegations mentioned by Gogoi.
Political observers in Guwahati expect further statements or formal complaints to follow in the coming days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akhil Gogoi challenge Dilip Saikia to do?
Gogoi challenged Saikia to visit Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati and swear innocence in the name of the goddess over voter list manipulation allegations.
Has Dilip Saikia responded to the challenge?
No public response from Dilip Saikia had been reported at the time of filing this report.
