After 18 years, former Assam chief minister to move out of Koinadhara guest house

After almost 18 years, former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi will move out of Koinadhara guest house, which has been his residence for all these years.
On July 27, octogenarian Gogoi will come to Cabinet colony in Dispur in Guwahati. The mint fresh house will be the new address of Gogoi who was chief minister from 2001-2016.

After his party suffered crushing defeat in 2016 assembly polls, Gogoi had been staying in State guest house atop Koinadhara Hill for his new house in the cabinet colony was not ready.

Gogoi’s new neighbour will be Public health engineering minister Rihon Daimary, his former colleague in cabinet and bête noire Assam’s finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former party colleague and now minister, Piyush Hazarika.

Neighbouring Meghalaya claims that Koinadhara is located on a piece of land which belonged to Meghalaya and is located on the small hillock falls Khanapara –Pilangakata.

This facility was created in 1976 during the Congress session which was attended by Indira Gandhi.

Gogoi said, “Prior to my becoming chief minister, Assam's chief minister did not had official residence. As suggested from official quarters, I decided to stay in this guest house which is memorable to me in many ways. Even some historic discussion with All Assam Students Union during the days of Assam agitation took place here.”

After thumping victory in 2016, chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal decided to stay in the state guest house near Raj Bhawan. With two guest house being occupied, Assam tourism Development Corporation Limited (ATDCL) decided to convert Hotel Brahmaputra, formerly hotel Brahmaputra Ashok as the state guest house.

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) had made an exit from Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok, Guwahati and property came to state government.

Gogoi said, “When I became chief minister, former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta stayed in official residence in Dispur. I got information that Mahanta’s wife due to security reason and others wanted to stay there, therefore I decided to stay in Koinadhara and covert the same as chief minister residence, for this will be befitting to the position of Assam chief minister which is visited by high profile dignitaries from across the world.”

Gogoi was attacked by his opponents including BJP for staying atop hills and remaining oblivious to the pain and suffering of the people of the state.

Now its Gogoi’s turn, he said, “Those people questioning me for staying atop hills and in state guest house are now staying atop hills and that too is a guest house created to house dignitaries visiting the state.”

Sonowal is now staying in the guest house situated in a hillock in Uzan Bazar. Gogoi said, “Sonowal had said he will stay in MLA hostel and will have leaner security. However he is now staying in guest house.”