According to internal communications, the Congress party has reportedly instructed its booth-level leadership in Assam to begin projecting Gaurav Gogoi as the chief ministerial face against incumbent Himanta Biswa Sarma. While no official announcement has been made, this move marks a strategic shift within the party’s state unit ahead of the upcoming elections. Gaurav Gogoi, a prominent MP and son of former CM Tarun Gogoi, is seen as a young, credible alternative capable of uniting different Congress factions. The informal directive suggests the party is keen to consolidate its grassroots machinery early and counter the BJP’s organizational dominance under Himanta’s leadership.

Only NDA-ruled states attended conference

In the Textiles Ministers Conference that concluded in Guwahati last Thursday, only ministers from NDA-ruled states attended the Conference. Textile ministers of non-NDA states did not attend it. According to Giriraj Kishore, Union Textile Minister, “I had written to all ministers of all states, but I don't know why they did not turn up”.

Shobha Karandlaje to Spearhead Gig Work Committee

The government is planning to set up a dedicated committee to address the growing challenges related to gig and platform-based work in India. This panel is likely to examine issues such as social security, irregular income, lack of formal grievance redressal, and ambiguity around employer–employee relationships for gig workers across sectors like delivery, ride-hailing, and online services. Minister Shobha Karandlaje is expected to spearhead this initiative, signalling a political intent to give the subject focused attention at a senior level. The committee may also consult state governments, platforms, and worker unions to frame actionable policy recommendations.