BJP, RSS conspired to not allow Rahul to enter Satra: Gogoi

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today alleged that BJP and RSS had conspired to not allow Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to enter Barpeta Satra during his visit to the state.
"They (BJP and RSS) had stationed a few women at the gate (to stop Gandhi) of the Satra yesterday," he told newsmen here.
Gandhi was on a two-day visit to Assam from December 11, which the chief minister described as a "grand success".
"We came to know about it in the morning itself and Rahul was also informed about this. We wanted to avoid a confrontation and so he did not pay a visit in the morning despite having women police with him.

"While concluding the padyatra, Rahul entered the Satra to pay his respects and seek blessings...It was a conspiracy by RSS, who has infiltrated into Satras also," Gogoi said, adding, an inquiry would be conducted into incident to find out who was responsible.
He refuted allegations that land belonging to different Satras across the state are being encroached upon by illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

"Not a single Bangladeshi is on Satra land. If yes, I will resign. I have not received a single complaint from any Satradhikar. It is false propaganda by the BJP," he added.
To questions, Gogoi said his son and Lok Sabha member Gaurav would not be a candidate for the assembly polls scheduled for next year.

"He (Gaurav) is not ready yet and he is not capable enough to become a chief minister. For that you need experience," Gogoi told a press conference here.
About Congress' strategy for the polls, the chief minister said the party will contest alone and form the next government.
He goes on to say, "I am no magician and have no magic
wand. I do not have solutions to change things overnight. Nor do I claim to have superior abilities. History has produced statesmen and visionaries who have steered nations and written their destinies for generations to learn from.
"In the big picture, I am but a dwarf and my efforts are Lilliputian. That they have made a difference is because the people have supported me and the electorate has reposed faith in me."

Gogoi first became the chief minister in 2001. Insurgency was at its peak, and brutal killings dominated headlines. Government employees were not paid salaries for months together.
He claims his three consecutive terms have changed the Assam story.
He says when the history of Assam is penned, his three-term tenure will show up both positives as well as negatives. "There will be bouquets and brickbats, criticism and acclaim. But I will leave history to judge these years."
According to 81-year-old Gogoi, his greatest regret in life is "not meeting Mahatma Gandhi in person, although he was and will always be an integral part of my life, as in the case with millions of other Indians".

Having worked closely with Indira Gandhi and her sons, he says Rajiv was exactly the opposite of his brother Sanjay.
"Sanjay Gandhi liked to micromanage. He made it a point to always say why and how he wanted things done. Rajivji, on the other hand, gave freedom and did not spoon feed. He encouraged those who worked with him to take decisions. He believed in their ability to lead," writes Gogoi.
He says he belongs to that breed to politicians who dare to decide, who do not dither and who often take firm and hard decisions. "I am among those who are willing to bear the brunt of consequences. Therefore, even though I inherited a crown of thorns, I was willing to wear it and walk, with the words 'no problem' ringing loud and clear in my mind.