Amid the Congress-led opposition alliance campaign to challenge the BJP-led government in Assam, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday promised to recover five lakh bigha of land allegedly held illegally by Bangladeshi nationals in the state’s next term. Speaking at an election rally in Barpeta district, lower Assam, Sarma highlighted that his government has already reclaimed 1.5 lakh bigha of land from illegal possession. He emphasized that the BJP-led alliance remains firm in its stance against Bangladeshi infiltrators and will not compromise on protecting the rights of indigenous Assamese citizens.
Opposition Accused of Lacking Agenda
Addressing the crowd, Sarma claimed that the opposition has no concrete agenda to develop Assam and asserted that the people of the state are fully aligned with the ruling party, except for “Bangladeshi infiltrators.” He accused Congress and its leader Gaurav Gogoi of posing a threat to the existence of indigenous Assamese by promoting a vision of a “new Assam” that could harm local culture and heritage. “We have completely turned around Assam. Today, people are seeing a new Assam, based on our strong culture and heritage. People are completely with the BJP, except Bangladeshi infiltrators. No local indigenous Indian people will vote for Congress,” Sarma said.
Sarma Takes a Swipe at Congress Leadership
In a sharp political jibe, Sarma also targeted Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, claiming that Congress cannot form a government in India and sarcastically adding that they could only govern in Pakistan or Bangladesh. He framed the upcoming elections as a decisive opportunity to continue the BJP-led government’s agenda of protecting Assam from illegal immigrants while furthering development. Sarma’s remarks come at a time when the opposition alliance is intensifying its campaign, portraying the ruling government as divisive and promoting a politics of fear.
Opposition Optimistic Ahead of Polls
Responding to Sarma’s remarks, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi said that the people of Assam are enthusiastic about a historic opportunity to oust the BJP-led government. “The present regime led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma practices politics of fear and intimidation and people of Assam are seeing this election as an opportunity to end this autocratic regime,” Gogoi said. Polling for all 126 constituencies in Assam is scheduled for April 9, with vote counting on May 4. In the 2021 assembly elections, the NDA, comprising the BJP, AGP, and UPPL, won 75 seats, with BJP alone securing 60 seats. The Congress-led grand alliance, including AIUDF, BPF, and communist parties, managed only 50 seats, while Independent Raijor Dal candidate Akhil Gogoi won a seat despite contesting from jail.
