Gogoi had taken the floor to voice his disappointment, noting the CM’s failure to engage with him despite his presence. This perceived snub sparked a lively response from Sarma, who first congratulated Gogoi on his oratory before steering into counsel on decorum.

‘You’ve spoken well today—now maintain that with the maturity expected in this house,’ Sarma remarked, his tone laced with sarcasm that didn’t escape notice. He wished Gogoi luck in upcoming polls, predicting victories for Raijor Dal while contrasting Gogoi’s protest-honed path to politics with dynastic entries.

The exchange highlighted the assembly’s combative spirit, with benches on both sides reacting vocally. Sarma wrapped up by appreciating contributions from all quarters, stressing the role of robust debate in democracy. ‘Let’s aim for productive exchanges next time,’ he added, leaving the session on a note of forward-looking reconciliation amid underlying tensions.

Key figures like Akhil Gogoi of Raijor Dal and Lurinjyoti Gogoi of AJP led the discussions, joined by CPI and CPI(M) delegates. The closed-door huddle aimed to chart a path for non-Congress opposition forces, amid whispers of frustration over Congress’s indecisiveness following APCC chief Bhupen Borah’s exit.

Emerging from the meeting, Akhil Gogoi didn’t mince words, slapping a two-day deadline on Congress to commit to seat-sharing terms. ‘No more endless waiting,’ he asserted, underscoring Raijor Dal’s readiness to battle alone on 46 constituencies. ‘We’re fully equipped to fight independently if unity falters.’

Despite the tough talk, attendees left a sliver of hope for reconciliation, contingent on Congress’s swift action. Observers note this snub reflects deeper mistrust, particularly after Congress’s internal shake-up, which has left allies questioning its reliability as the lead opposition force.

With BJP in full election mode, such divisions threaten to hand the ruling party an advantage. Pundits warn that without a clear seat pact and unified leadership, the opposition risks splintering, diluting their vote share in a multi-cornered contest. Watch this space as Assam’s political chessboard evolves rapidly.