This 'Ultra' eyes hat trick in Assam

“Why just call me terrorist, call me a dreaded terrorist or the most wanted terrorist. But my mission is not to terrorise people; it’s to be with the people and solve their grievances,” Gogoi told villagers near the Kaziranga National Park in eastern Assam.

A former member of the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), Gogoi made his political foray as an independent in 1996 from Bokakhat but lost to a Congress candidate. He won in 2001 and 2006 as an independent.

“The word terror or terrorist should be re-defined. I am a terrorist, but with a positive connotation as I am always there with my people in their time of need  fast and aggressive like terrorists,” Gogoi said in his inimitable style. “If there is a storm and houses are uprooted or there is an accident on the highway in my area, I go there almost instantly with medical teams or with a helping hand.”

Gogoi’s secret of winning the two elections is simple. “People love me because I care for them in their times of need.  Paresh Baruah (ULFA’s elusive commander-in-chief) would never like to be described as a terrorist, instead he would call himself a social worker or reformer. But I am a dreaded terrorist who works for the people.”

Gogoi is pitted against the Congress and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) this time. “Everything would be decided through the ballot, and I am more than 100 per cent confident of winning the polls for the third term,”  he said. AGP’s Atul Bora brushed aside Gogoi’s confidence.

“People are sick and tired of Jiten Gogoi’s antics and want a change this time. I am sure he will be defeated,” Bora said. Assam goes to the polls on April 4 and 11 to elect a 126-member legislature.