Guwahati : Akhil Gogoi, leader of Raijor Dal, criticised Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar for his recent visit to Assam, accusing him of “enjoying” the scenic beauty of the river Brahmaputra and feeding fishes. Gogoi termed Khattar’s behaviour as a blatant disregard for the suffering of flood-affected residents in the city.

Furthermore, Gogoi pointed out that the recent foreign trip of Khattar coincided with the tragic death of an eight-year-old, Avinash Sarkar, who fell into a drain in Guwahati. He asserted that the incident exemplified the stepmotherly treatment the Centre was showing towards the northeastern states.

Khattar visited the Brahmaputra river heritage centre on July 8, aiming to explore key sites in Northeast India as part of his new responsibilities. “At a time when Assam is reeling under severe floods, the visit of a Union Minister cherishing the beauty of the Brahmaputra and feeding fishes is sheer disrespect towards the people of Assam,” said Gogoi.

Gogoi also claimed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s visit to Avinash Sarkar’s house was a mere “drama”. “This act insulted the sentiments of Assamese people,” he alleged. He emphasised the need for immediate and effective action to address the crisis, rather than the perceived indifference displayed by the ministers.