Morung Express News Dimapur | February 19 Member of Parliament from Assam’s Kaliabor Lok Sabha Constituency, Gaurav Gogoi exuded confidence of the Congress making a mark in the elections to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Elections 2018. One of four observers appointed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to oversee the party’s electioneering in Nagaland, Gogoi, son of former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, predicted of the Congress having a “role to play” in government formation post the elections. “We are confident the people will vote for a secular government in which the Congress will also have a role,” said Gogoi at a press conference today in Dimapur at the Congress Bhawan. His statement was in response to a query about the Congress’ chances in Nagaland in the February 27 polls and whether it will be happy in the event the party gets relegated to the opposition bench. “It might be that no party gets a clear majority, yet we feel we’ll play a role.” The party had originally fielded 20 candidates to the 60-seat NLA before two withdrew. According to him, the Congress’ chance lies in its grassroots presence irrespective of the party contesting in only 18 seats. He added that the Congress is the only party, besides the NPF, which has membership in all the 60 constituencies. While the Congress may not match the BJP in terms of funding for election canvassing “Our campaign is grassroots based. People centric, house to house, village to village campaign,” he said, adding that the election is being fought based on values and not giving the people false hopes. Accusing the NDPP-BJP partnership of taking the people for a ride, he termed the alliance as a partnership “of lies that does not respect and understand the diverse culture and values of the people of the Nagaland.” With regard to the call for “clean election” he claimed that the people of Nagaland have heard the message of the church for fair polls and to have candidates who will work for the people. He was accompanied by former Congress MLA from Bokajan (Karbi Anglong) K. Engti, All Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee president Shahnaz Yasmin and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Subrata Borah besides Nagaland state Congress workers.