Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi during official events in Sivasagar and North Lakhimpur on Wednesday. The BJP leader accused Gogoi of having no genuine responsibility toward Assam and claimed the opposition lacks a clear stance on critical issues as the state prepares for assembly elections.
Tourist-Like Approach and Family Citizenship Under Fire
Sarma did not mince words when describing Gogoi's engagement with Assam. "He comes like a tourist. He does not have any responsibility toward Assam," Sarma told reporters. The Chief Minister questioned Gogoi's vision of creating a "greater Assam," asking what the fundamental conditions for such a development would be.
The criticism extended to Gogoi's personal life, with Sarma highlighting the citizenship status of Gogoi's family members. "He should first make his children Assamese. How can he even pronounce the word greater Assam when his own children are not Assamese?" Sarma asserted. The BJP leader has consistently targeted Gogoi, who serves as the Deputy Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha and represents Jorhat constituency, over allegations that his wife and two children hold British citizenship.
Controversial Remarks on Demographics and Political Claims
Sarma's remarks took a contentious turn as he speculated about who would inhabit Gogoi's proposed greater Assam. "Only the Miyas will live. That is why nobody should pay any attention to this man's statements," he declared. The term 'Miya' has historically been used as a derogatory label for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, often associated with Bangladeshi immigrants, though community activists have recently reclaimed it as an act of defiance.
Responding to Gogoi's prediction that the opposition would secure 50 seats in the upcoming polls, Sarma dismissed the claim as uninformed. "Gaurav Gogoi would not be able to tell the names of the constituencies from Tinsukia to Golaghat. The Upper Assam as we understand, there are not 50 seats," he countered.
Election Dynamics and Broader Political Critique
The Assam assembly elections, scheduled for March-April this year across 126 constituencies, form the backdrop of this heated exchange. Sarma expressed confidence in the BJP's prospects, stating, "I don't think the opposition or Congress have any stand on any issue. Only one community supports Congress. I don't think the opposition will have any specific impact this time."
Reflecting on his campaign efforts, Sarma added, "I have so far attended 80 meetings. I can understand the people's pulse. This time, the Congress will have a very bad situation." He also criticized other opposition figures, including Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia and Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi, predicting they would have minimal influence in the forthcoming polls.
Response to 'Hindu Jinnah' Allegations and ISI Links
When questioned about Gogoi's previous characterization of him as "Hindu Jinnah," Sarma responded with pointed criticism. "Jinnah is from Pakistan. Why does he bring in items from Pakistan, he could have given examples from other places also. There are people in India too. I cannot comment on an example from Pakistan as I have never visited that country," he remarked.
This exchange ties into broader allegations from the BJP, which has accused Gogoi of having "direct links" with Pakistan and connections to its spy agency, ISI, through his wife. These claims have added a layer of national security discourse to the already volatile political climate in Assam.
As the election season intensifies, Sarma's comments underscore the deepening rift between the ruling BJP and the Congress opposition, with personal attacks and policy debates intertwining to shape the narrative ahead of the crucial assembly polls.
