In a remarkable display of civility and mutual respect, rival Lok Sabha candidates in Assam, BJP’s Sarbananda Sonowal, and INDIA bloc’s Lurinjyoti Gogoi, were seen sharing tea and seeking blessings together.
The unexpected encounter occurred at the Haldibari Naghar Than, a revered place of worship, situated in Khowang. Despite their political differences, Sonowal and Gogoi were seen shaking hands and sitting together on a mattress placed on the floor.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, a strong BJP contender, and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi are locked in a competitive electoral battle for the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat.
Both candidates have previously held leadership positions in the All Assam Students Union-AASU, the State’s oldest student organisation. Sonowal notably led AASU’s campaign against the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunals) Act, which was eventually repealed. Meanwhile, Gogoi led the student body during the 2019 anti-CAA protests.
Speaking to reporters, Sonowal remarked, “I have extended my best wishes to Lurinjyoti Gogoi. Democracy thrives on such interactions, and we are committed to strengthening it.”
Gogoi also shared his thoughts, stating, “We were colleagues in AASU, where he was our senior. However, our ideologies have diverged since then. We stand united against the CAA, while he supports it.”
The Dibrugarh constituency is slated for voting in the first phase on April 19. This harmonious gesture between rival candidates exemplifies the spirit of democracy and political maturity amidst differing ideologies.
