Guwahati, Feb. 22: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi who is known for comparing himself to legendary historical figures, did it again.
Addressing a gathering at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra here today during a function to celebrate Chilarai Divas, the birth anniversary of Shukladhwaj, popularly known as Chilarai - the commander of 16th century Koch king Naranarayan - Gogoi compared himself to Chilarai.
"Some say I have the qualities of Chilarai and I think it is true to some extent. I have to face a lot of challenges like him and I am fighting those with patriotism and courage," Gogoi said during the function which was organised by the Consortium of Koch Royal Families (ConKRF), an umbrella body of Koch royal families living in Assam, Bengal, Nepal, Bhutan and Panga in Bangladesh.
Gogoi, who donned the traditional Koch vest and a gamosa around his neck, said: "I have another similarity with the Koch people. We have sharp tongues, but we speak the truth. We do not make false promises."
Shukladhwaj who was the brother of Naranarayan, got the name "Chilarai" because his movement as a general was as fast as sila (kite). Under his leadership, "Kamtapur" expanded to present day Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Bengal, Panga in Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
Earlier, on several occasions, Gogoi claimed that he has the blood of the Ahom general Lachit Borphukan running through his veins. Last month, while addressing a cultural programme of tea garden workers in Upper Assam's Golaghat district he claimed that he has the blood of legendary Adivasi leader Birsa Munda in him. Earlier this month, he again invoked Borphukan and the first Ahom king Siu Ka Pha by wielding a hengdang (a kind of sword).
Reacting to Gogoi's remarks, Union minister of state for sports and youth affairs Sarbananda Sonowal who also attended the programme this afternoon, said: "I am not sure whose blood flows through our chief minister's veins, but one thing is sure. His government will not win the Assembly election this year."
Chilarai Divas celebrated here today is the 506th birth anniversary of the great commander, organised here for the first time by all Koch Rajbongshi organisations united under one umbrella body.
The general secretary of ConKRF, Pranab Kumar Dev, said: "This year is significant for us as finally we have united. On this Chilarai Divas, we will take up a mission to fulfil our responsibilities to our own brothers and take our community to a better world."
On the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border at Maduripathar under Dhemaji district, the day was celebrated with cultural processions of boys and girls wearing bright attires.
