GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday said the government has “definite evidence” suggesting involvement of RSS and BJP workers in preventing Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s entry into a Vaishnavite monastery at Barpeta in December.

In a statement here, Mr.Gogoi claimed that on inquiring into the entire episode, the State government has found definite proof of RSS and BJP workers’ involvement in instigating a section of people against the entry of Rahul Gandhi in Barpeta Satra on December 12.

Satra and other religious institutions should not be used for narrow political gains and should be left for religious and spiritual activities only, he said. Mr.Gogoi and the ruling Congress have maintained that Mr.Gandhi was prevented from entering the 15th Century monastery during his padyatra by RSS and BJP who placed elderly women at the monastery gate. The BJP had denied the allegation and said that Mr.Gandhi was late in arriving at Barpeta and so he skipped visiting it. The episode had escalated into a controversy with the Satra authorities discounting Congress’ allegation and said that the women were villagers with no allegiance to any political party and they were waiting at the gate for a glimpse of Mr. Gandhi. – PTI