Guwahati, March 26: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intensified his attack on the Congress ahead of the Assembly elections, questioning the party’s relevance and its ability to return to power.
Speaking on the political landscape, Sarma criticised the Congress, stating that the party lacks the strength to form a government at the national level. In a sharp remark, he said Congress cannot form a government in India, making a pointed comparison with neighbouring countries. He further alleged that the Opposition alliance has failed to present a credible agenda for voters, adding that people have already seen the party’s governance record over decades. The Chief Minister asserted that the BJP government has significantly transformed Assam and claimed that public support remains firmly with the ruling party.
Sarma also made a controversial claim that only “Bangladeshi infiltrators” would support the Congress, stating that indigenous voters would not back the party in the upcoming elections.
Responding to the remarks, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi said the Opposition alliance is witnessing “tremendous enthusiasm” among voters seeking change after years of BJP rule. He accused the government of practising “politics of fear” and said the current political climate offers an opportunity for people to move towards what he described as a “new Assam”.
According to the Election Commission of India, polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, Asom Gana Parishad, and United People’s Party Liberal, secured 75 seats, including 60 won by the BJP. The Congress and its allies, including the All India United Democratic Front and Bodoland People’s Front, managed 16 seats.
The previous election recorded a voter turnout of 86.2 per cent, with more than 2.2 crore registered voters participating in the electoral process.
