Karbi Anglong (Assam) [India], April 2 (ANI): Assam Congress president and candidate from Jorhat constituency in the upcoming assembly polls, Gaurav Gogoi, on Thursday hit out at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging his links with the stone, coal and areca nut mafia in the state.

Speaking to reporters in Karbi Anglong, Gaurav Gogoi expressed confidence in the Congress-led alliance and said that the people of Assam have united against fear and intimidation.

He said, 'The entire Assam has united against the politics of corruption, fear, and intimidation. All Opposition parties have come together. People of Assam will no longer accept as leaders those involved in illegal activities and the mafia. Himanta Biswa Sarma only likes those who are connected to the stone, coal and areca nut mafia. Even in his party, those leaders who serve the people do not stay with Himanta Biswa Sarma, and he cancels their tickets.'

The polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4. Assam is witnessing a contest between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and the Congress-led alliance for the 126-seat assembly.

The Congress is contesting the polls in alliance with Assam Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal, CPI(M), CPI(ML), and the All Party Hill Leaders Conference.

Earlier today, in Karbi Anglong, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of handing over India's agricultural, energy, and data rights to the United States. He claimed that the deal benefits American farmers and companies while harming Indian farmers, small businesses, and industries.

Addressing a public rally in Karbi Anglong, Congress MP said, 'You might ask why Rahul Gandhi is speaking on the US-India deal, in Assam election campaigning? You need to understand where the pressure on you is being mounted. Narendra Modi signed the US deal, and he handed over 4-5 things to the US. PM Modi opened India's agricultural system to the US. No PM had ever done this before. Soybeans, pulses, fruits, and cotton have all been opened to American farmers by Narendra Modi. Indian farmers have small farms with fewer mechanizations.'

He claimed that US President Donald Trump controls PM Modi, alleging that India's key sectors are being handed over to the United States.

'The US has thousands of acres of farms and several mechanizations. Indian farmers will get crushed and erased. Narendra Modi handed over India's energy security, the oil we purchase, to Trump. Today, if India wants to purchase oil from other countries, permission is needed from Donald Trump and America. Narendra Modi handed over India's data to Donald Trump. They can do anything they want with that data. Narendra Modi told Donald Trump that Rs 9 Lakh Crores worth of products will be purchased by India from American companies every year. So, small businesses and small & medium industries will be destroyed. Narendra Modi gave a lot to America, but America gave nothing to India. Why did this deal happen? It happened because Donald Trump controls Narendra Modi,' Rahul Gandhi said. (ANI)