Guwahati: The Congress will extend moral support to the "nationwide" campaign, spearheaded by the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, for immediate release of KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi.

"On many issues we have differences with Akhil Gogoi and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti. But we cannot support his arrest and booking him under the National Security Act. He is a very strong voice against the harmful policies of the BJP-led state government. The reason behind his arrest is to gag the Opposition's voice. It is against the right to speech," Assam PCC vice-president Pradyut Bordoloi said on Monday.

Reacting to Saturday's incident when chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal had reportedly ignored Maharashtra MP Raju Shetty at his Dibrugarh residence, Bordoloi said,

"Sonowal has a very weak stand on every issue. He could not dare to discuss Akhil's arrest with an MP from another state. It is disrespect to a guest. Sonowal takes all decisions in adherence to their high command's diktat. It is very unfortunate for the people of Assam because Sonowal came to power with an image of a community leader. Even the jailor of Dibrugarh jail was suspended only because he had allowed PCC president Debabrata Saikia and MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi to meet Akhil."

Dibrugarh Central Jail jailor Arup Kumar Patangia was suspended for allowing the two Congress leaders to take photos with Akhil inside the jail on November 1.

Convener of the coordination committee, Sunilam, said, "We will welcome all parties and people who want to join our campaign. A working committee will be set up very soon."

Sunilam said anti-corruption movement leader Anna Hazare, many intellectuals and organisations, including Amnesty International, People's Union for Civil Liberties and Asian Human Rights Commission, would join the campaign.