Gaurav Gogoi delivers a speech after formally joining the party at Congress Bhawan in Jorhat on Monday. Picture by UB Photos

Jorhat, July 9: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi’s only son, Gaurav, today officially began his political career by joining the Indian National Congress as a primary member after paying a fee of Rs 3.

As he made his way to the first floor of the Congress Bhawan housing the office of the Jorhat district Congress committee, the sort of welcome he received made it clear that he was no ordinary member.

He was greeted with about 80 gamosas, numerous bouquets, handshakes and full-throated chants of “zindabad” for both his father and him. A Seva Dal office-bearer put a Gandhi cap on his head and thus Gaurav’s makeover into a politician was complete, the signing of the membership form would follow.

Only time will tell how much Gaurav has learnt from his father — a chief minister in his third term — in matters of power politics and statecraft but what he did exhibit was his father’s trademark smile. Hs uncle and Koliabor Lok Sabha MP, Dip Gogoi, accompanied him, as did a few office-bearers of the APCC.

After accepting the Rs 3 membership form, in which Jorhat zila parishad president Putal Buragoahin proposed Gaurav’s name, general secretary (administration) Golap Chandra Duarah announced Gaurav’s formal entry into the party to a loud round of applause from workers. Duarah also handed over the receipt for the membership fee to Gaurav.

About 21 years ago, Prime Minister Manmahon Singh had joined the party here, as had Tarun Gogoi.

“I am very glad to join this great party, which I think is like a big family working for the betterment of society. I shall give my best to the service of society and the party,” was Gaurav’s first reaction.

He said he would contribute to the party by doing his bit to carry forward the good work of his father. Gogoi junior said Assam was being led on the path of development and progress since 2001. The testimony of which was that the party had been voted back to power three times in a row.

Later, he attended a health camp organised by the party at Neematighat of the Brahmaputra before leaving for Majuli.