Know Your Leaders :
LURINJYOTI GOGOI
vs
SARBANANDA SONOWAL
Lurinjyoti Gogoi
Lurinjyoti Gogoi is a prominent political figure from Assam, India. He has been actively involved in student politics and later in state politics. Here’s a brief overview of his background:
Here's more detailed information about Lurinjyoti Gogoi:
- Early Life: Born on December 28, 1977, in Morankari Gaon, Tinsukia district, Assam, Lurinjyoti Gogoi is the only son of Probin Gogoi and Dulu Gogoi.
- Education: He attended Laipuli No.1 Primary School and Senairam Higher Secondary School in Tinsukia. He graduated from Tinsukia College with a degree in Mathematics and completed his post-graduation from Dibrugarh University. He is also pursuing a PhD in Mathematics from the same university.
- Political Career: Gogoi's political journey began with his involvement in the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), where he served as General Secretary from 2015 to 2020. He was a prominent figure in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019. On November 21, 2020, he left AASU and joined the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) as its founding president.
- 2021 Assam Assembly Elections: He contested from the Duliajan and Naharkatia constituencies but was defeated in both. Despite these setbacks, he continues to be an influential figure in Assam's regional politics.
- Recent Activities: As of March 2024, Gogoi is contesting the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat. In a show of political sportsmanship, he and his rival candidate, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal, were seen having tea and seeking blessings together at the Haldibari Naghar Than in Khowang. This event has been viewed as a positive gesture in the spirit of democracy.
Gogoi's commitment to his regionalist ideology and his active role in Assam's political landscape make him a key player to watch in the upcoming elections.
Sarbananda Sonowal
Sarbananda Sonowal has had a distinguished political career with significant contributions to Assam's development. Here's a more detailed look at his journey and recent activities:
- Early Life: Born on October 31, 1962, in Mulukgaon, Dibrugarh, Assam, Sonowal's early education was in his hometown. He later pursued higher education at Dibrugarh University and Gauhati University.
- Political Career: His political career began with the All Assam Students Union (AASU), where he served as President. He was a member of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2011.
- Chief Minister: Sonowal served as the 14th Chief Minister of Assam from 2016 to 2021, succeeding Tarun Gogoi and preceding Himanta Biswa Sarma.
- Ministerial Roles: He has held the positions of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Skill Development, and currently serves as the Cabinet Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Minister of AYUSH.
- Rajya Sabha: Since October 2021, he has been a member of the Rajya Sabha representing Assam.
- Recent Activities: As the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sonowal recently approved an Rs 800 crore project to transform Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. This project aims to enhance the port's operational efficiency with an effective, efficient, and environmentally sustainable integrated cargo handling system.
- Northeast Projects: He has prioritized the completion of critical projects in the Northeast, including projects worth ₹275 crores in inland waterways and Ayush in Assam, to be completed by January 2024.
Sonowal's efforts in infrastructure Sarbananda Sonowal is contesting the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming general elections. The Dibrugarh constituency has seen a shift in political dominance over the years, with Congress holding the seat until 1999, followed by a win for the AGP in 2004, and then a return of Congress in 2009. Since 2014, the seat has been with the BJP.
2024 Loksabha Election:
In this election, Sonowal, who is currently a Rajya Sabha member and the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has been fielded by the BJP, replacing the incumbent party MP and Union Minister Rameswar Teli. He is facing Lurinjyoti Gogoi, the president of the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), in what is expected to be a direct contest¹. Both candidates have a history with the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) and are influential figures in Assam's politics.
The campaign has already begun, with Sonowal receiving a warm welcome in Dibrugarh and addressing a massive rally to express his gratitude for the support shown. The election is set against the backdrop of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) debate, with Sonowal and the BJP being criticized by AASU and other organizations for imposing the CAA on the people in 2019. This election is particularly significant as it will test the political waters in Assam, especially on issues related to the CAA and regional identity.
