Ex-Assam MLA Bismita Gogoi says Lotus Blouse Incident Deeply Affected Her, Compelled Her to Quit Congress

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 31st Jan. Bismita Gogoi, a former Congress MLA from Khumtai, has said that the incident involving a particular blouse during the Bharat Jodo Yatra last year had a negative impact on her.

Bismita Gogoi, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently, told reporters that the incident of her wearing a blouse with a lotus design made a very bad impression on her. She claimed that the issue had become so heated that even the Assam Congress’ highest leadership was discussing it.

“I had never thought if there was lotus on the blouse. I wore a lotus designed blouse, which is a normal thing. I am even finding it difficult to talk about the blouse here in public. The incident happened during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which was carried out on the state level, in Khumtai. During that Yatra I had wore that dress. And they thought that it is a signal that I am planning to move to the BJP. Even the top leadership were discussing that issue at the Rajiv Bhawan,” said Gogoi.

The former Assam minister also stated that the incident was quite humiliating to her, and she burst into tears when she knew about it. Gogoi further claimed that she was subjected to mental abuse and barred from attending major party meetings.

“This is an insult to women. I had visibly hurt from that incident. When I got to hear about it, I broke down in tears. My honour was finished that day itself. If anti-women talks are prevalent in a party, then how can people keep staying on in the party? I was subjected to mental torture at every step. They did not want to get me involved in work. I was kept away from important decision making processes,” said Bismita Gogoi.

The blouse incident occurred during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, which the Assam Congress organized in 2022. Gogoi wore a blouse with lotus designs over it as the Yatra passed through Khumtai seat, and the designs made a stir in the Congress ranks, leading to suspicion that she will defect to the BJP.