Guwahati, Aug 26: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is searching for another figure like Badaruddin Ajmal, which appears to be aimed at polarizing the electorate along religious lines and seeking to consolidate Hindu votes, which could potentially benefit his party in the 2026 assembly election.
This was stated by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bhupen Kumar Borah in New Delhi on Sunday.
“Himanta Biswa Sarma and his party are worried about the defeat of Badaruddin Ajmal and the debacle of the AIUDF in the last Lok Sabha elections. If Ajmal and his party, the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), were to face a major setback, it could shift the political landscape in the state,” Borah said.
Borah said the relevance of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Assam’s political landscape is closely tied to the presence of Badaruddin Ajmal and the AIUDF. Ajmal has been a significant figure representing the Muslim community, and his prominence has allowed Sarma and the BJP to position themselves as the primary force opposing him, thereby consolidating Hindu votes.
The Congress leader claimed that the BJP came to power in Assam with a secret understanding with the AIUDF. The BJP has taken advantage of the AIUDF’s political structure over the past three years, benefiting from the polarization that the presence of a party like AIUDF creates.
From 1985 onward, the BJP and RSS have reportedly worked towards capturing power in Assam by leveraging communal and religious divides. The success of this strategy, as Borah suggested, was significantly bolstered by the emergence and influence of the AIUDF, which represents a large section of the Muslim electorate in Assam.
Borah also claimed significant voter support for the Congress-led United Opposition Forum in the last elections, where 79,24,804 votes were cast in their favor out of a total of 2,89,565 votes. “This suggests that the opposition had substantial backing, and the Chief Minister is aware that the 2024 Lok Sabha election could be pivotal,” he said.
“The popularity of both the Chief Minister and his government has declined, with increasing public discourse surrounding allegations of corruption and the exploitation of public resources by the Chief Minister’s family. The government is facing significant scrutiny, which could impact its standing among voters and influence future political dynamics in Assam,” the APCC chief said.
He pointed out that despite Sarma’s promise of a “double engine government,” which implies strong coordination between the state and central governments for accelerated development. However the state has had to rely on loans from various agencies every month to manage its finances.
Borah further accused the government of engaging in “lootraj,” or widespread corruption, in multiple sectors. He alleges that corruption is rampant in the installation of smart meters, at toll gates, and in recruitment processes.
Borah underscored a growing unrest in Assam against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his BJP-led government and said the people of the state are becoming increasingly aware of the alleged corruption and mismanagement, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. “This discontent is manifesting in protests by various groups, including six ethnic communities, tea tribes, teachers, government employees, and unemployed youths,” he said.
“Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP might employ to secure a second term in power. Sarma has targeted various sections of society, including university teachers and journalists, which is a part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and control the narrative,” Borah said.
“Sarma and the BJP could create conflict, fear, and mistrust among the people as a means to maintain power. This tactic could involve manipulating divisions within society or exploiting existing tensions to weaken opposition forces. I warn my party leaders, workers, and the united opposition, as well as conscious citizens, to be vigilant and not fall into the trap that Sarma might set,” the Congress leader further said.
The Congress leader criticized Himanta Biswa Sarma for overstepping ethical and constitutional boundaries and said Sarma has “crossed the Laxman Rekha” He suggested that the Chief Minister has breached fundamental principles or norms expected of someone in his position.
He also criticised Sarma of diminishing the prestige and integrity of the Chief Minister’s office, implying that his actions have eroded the respect and trust typically associated with the role.
“There is the possibility of Sarma placing candidates within the Congress party to disrupt and undermine it from within. Despite these perceived manipulative strategies, we have confidence that the opposition will be able to navigate these challenges and effectively counter Sarma’s influence,” he added.
