Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi has taken a bold political step by invoking the legacy of his late father, former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, to directly challenge the current Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. Speaking at a large rally in Guwahati, Gaurav echoed a famous line his father used during the 2011 Assam polls—“Who is Himanta Biswa Sarma?” This line recalls the sharp political moment when Tarun Gogoi, confronting the rise of Maulana Badruddin Ajmal’s AIUDF party, famously asked, “Who is Badruddin Ajmal?” back then. That phrase resonated widely with voters and helped cement Congress’s hold on Bengali-speaking Muslim-majority constituencies, contributing to a significant victory for Tarun Gogoi’s government.
Accusing BJP of ‘Politics of Fear’
At the rally, Gaurav Gogoi launched a direct attack on the ruling BJP-led government, accusing it of using tactics rooted in fear, intimidation, and corruption to maintain power in Assam. He described the BJP’s style of governance as unsustainable, saying, “Politics rooted in fear cannot sustain itself. The people of Assam are self-respecting and fearless. When the people unite, no individual can act like a king.” His remarks were aimed at rallying voters against the BJP’s influence, painting the party’s rule as authoritarian and disconnected from the will of the people. Gaurav’s speech signaled Congress’s attempt to reclaim political ground by focusing on what they describe as the erosion of democratic values under the current regime.
BJP’s Rebuttal and Defense of Sarma’s Leadership
The BJP quickly dismissed Gaurav Gogoi’s comments as signs of political desperation and claimed that the Congress leader has “lost the political plot.” Party officials defended Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as the “best Chief Minister” Assam has seen in recent times, highlighting his government’s achievements in critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The BJP’s response underlined their strategy of emphasizing development and governance successes as reasons for continued public support. By framing Sarma’s leadership in a positive light, the party sought to counter the negative portrayal presented by the Congress and strengthen its position ahead of the elections.
Himanta Sarma’s Personal Retort and Political Escalation
Responding personally to Gaurav Gogoi’s barbs, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a firm stand on his identity and connection to Assam. Sarma stated, “I am a son of my parents and an Assamese who loves Assam.” He suggested that Congress should instead question leaders like Badruddin Ajmal and their place in Assam’s political landscape, rather than targeting an Assamese leader like himself. This exchange reflects the intensifying verbal sparring between the two parties, with Congress striving to revive the political legacy of Tarun Gogoi, while the BJP doubles down on its development-focused narrative. As the state election approaches, this battle of words signals a fierce contest where political symbolism, identity, and governance claims will all play critical roles.
