Guwahati, March 25 (NNN): Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi’s cardiac problem has affected the Congress’ election campaign. The party has also not released its manifesto owing to his health problem. Gogoi returned Guwahati on Friday after undergoing surgery to replace the generator of his pacemaker at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi last Monday. He had in July last year had one of his heart valves replaced.
Though the chief minister is “raring to go to the people”, doctors have advised him rest. This means Gogoi is unlikely to spearhead the Congress campaign for the first phase of polling on April 4. Campaigning for this phase ends on April 2, barely eight days away. Gogoi’s cardiac complication couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Congress. Of the 62 seats where elections would be held in the first phase, 42 are across eight districts of eastern Assam where the Ahoms and their cousin communities hold sway. Being an Ahom, Gogoi enjoys immense popularity in these districts where the Congress won 33
seats in 2006.
Understandably, the Congress is hoping Gogoi can zoom about in a few of the eastern Assam constituencies to speed up the party’s campaign for Phase I. “He has certain plans for the campaign,” said Assam Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Bichitra Choudhury.
In Gogoi’s absence, the responsibility of stewarding the Congress campaign has fallen on his trusted lieutenant and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. But his acceptance among voters, particularly in eastern Assam, isn’t regarded anywhere near Gogoi’s.
Though the chief minister is “raring to go to the people”, doctors have advised him rest. This means Gogoi is unlikely to spearhead the Congress campaign for the first phase of polling on April 4. Campaigning for this phase ends on April 2, barely eight days away. Gogoi’s cardiac complication couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Congress. Of the 62 seats where elections would be held in the first phase, 42 are across eight districts of eastern Assam where the Ahoms and their cousin communities hold sway. Being an Ahom, Gogoi enjoys immense popularity in these districts where the Congress won 33
seats in 2006.
Understandably, the Congress is hoping Gogoi can zoom about in a few of the eastern Assam constituencies to speed up the party’s campaign for Phase I. “He has certain plans for the campaign,” said Assam Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson Bichitra Choudhury.
In Gogoi’s absence, the responsibility of stewarding the Congress campaign has fallen on his trusted lieutenant and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. But his acceptance among voters, particularly in eastern Assam, isn’t regarded anywhere near Gogoi’s.
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