Rahul Gandhi vs Himanta Biswa Sarma: Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi stirred the political landscape of Assam on July 16 by openly declaring that if Congress returns to power in the state, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma would be jailed for corruption, nepotism, and land grabbing. Gandhi’s fiery speech at a Congress workers’ meet in Chaygaon has had ripple effects across the political spectrum. With Assembly elections approaching in early 2026, this declaration has set the stage for a fierce political showdown. Gandhi’s remarks about Sarma handing over Assam’s wealth to corporates like Adani and Ambani hit a nerve with the ruling BJP.
Sarma’s Nervous Counterattacks
Sarma, known for his aggressive political style, responded quickly—through press conferences, public speeches, and social media attacks. While denying the charges, Sarma’s tone and urgency have only fueled speculation that Gandhi’s claims may have touched a sensitive spot. Instead of addressing the corruption allegations head-on, Sarma diverted the conversation by accusing Gaurav Gogoi, the new Congress state chief, of secretly visiting Pakistan and suggested that his British wife is linked to ISI. Despite offering no evidence, Sarma ordered an SIT probe into these baseless allegations, signaling a defensive posture rather than a confident rebuttal.
Gaurav Gogoi: The New Face of Assam Congress
Gaurav Gogoi’s rise as the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president has added a new layer to the state’s political game. Calm and composed, Gogoi has resisted engaging in personal mudslinging, keeping the focus on corruption allegations against Sarma’s family—particularly land grabbing by Sarma’s wife. Gogoi’s electoral success in Jorhat despite his former constituency being wiped out due to delimitation has embarrassed the BJP and shown his growing popularity. Political observers see Gogoi’s contrasting style to Sarma’s aggression as a potential game-changer in 2026.
The ‘Bangladeshi’ Card and Operation Sindoor
Facing heat over corruption, Sarma resorted to familiar tactics. Reviving the ‘Bangladeshi’ narrative, his government carried out eviction drives in Muslim-dominated areas, often targeting Bengali-origin Muslims, known locally as “Miya.” Under “Operation Sindoor,” many were deported or pushed into no man’s land with the claim they were illegal immigrants. Despite some being later returned as Bangladesh refused to accept them, Sarma continued pushing this rhetoric to consolidate majority Assamese Hindu votes. This polarizing strategy has worked in past elections, but its long-term sustainability is uncertain.
A Fight for 2026: Issues vs Identity
The battle for Assam in 2026 is shaping up to be a clash between governance issues and identity politics. Rahul Gandhi has brought the focus back on corruption and nepotism, forcing the BJP to confront uncomfortable questions. Meanwhile, Sarma’s shift to identity-based politics shows his discomfort in addressing these accusations. With Gogoi playing a restrained but strategic role, the Congress is positioning itself to take on the BJP not with noise, but with pointed questions about governance, development, and justice.
