GUWAHATI: Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi was expelled from the Assam Legislative Assembly for the entire day during a heated discussion on the Assam Budget 2026–27, after a sharp exchange with the Chief Minister over the state's ranking on the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
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The MLA, representing Sivasagar constituency, said he had questioned the Chief Minister's claim that Assam's position on the poverty index had improved significantly. While the Chief Minister stated that poverty in the state had come down to 14 percent, he did not address a follow-up question on Assam's national ranking, the legislator alleged.
Citing NITI Aayog data, the MLA claimed Assam currently ranks sixth in the country on the Multidimensional Poverty Index, behind Bihar, Meghalaya and Jharkhand. Following the exchange, he was expelled from the House for the remainder of the day's proceedings.
The incident is the latest flashpoint in a Budget Session that has already seen the same legislator stage a series of protests, including demonstrations over flood damage, the Centre's E20 fuel policy, and alleged "syndicate" price manipulation of essential commodities as the opposition continues to target the government's fiscal and welfare record.
The Assam government has yet to issue a detailed response to the poverty ranking claims made in the Assembly.