Guwahati, Jan 24: In a fiery political attack, Assam Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah compared Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to Saddam Hussein, claiming that Sarma’s accumulation of wealth and power will eventually lead to his downfall.
Speaking at the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’ rally at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati, Borah said, “Himanta Biswa Sarma’s fear will bring his downfall,” he said. Borah concluded his speech with a warning to Sarma, claiming that the Assam CM is fearful of losing power in 2026.
“The people of Assam are watching who has bought tea estates, newspapers, and TV channels. When we return to power, we will seize these assets and use them for public welfare,” he said.
“Like Saddam Hussein, Himanta Biswa Sarma will have to face the consequences of his actions when he falls from power,” Borah declared.
Borah also accused the BJP of undermining constitutional rights, silencing dissent, and fostering corruption in Assam.
Borah alleged that the BJP government is curbing freedom of speech and targeting journalists who expose inconvenient truths. He cited the recent arrest of a journalist from Sootea for reporting an accident involving an MLA’s wife that led to a labourer’s death.
“In Mahabharata, King Dhritarashtra wanted to kill Sanjay for speaking the truth. This is how BJP is trying to silence the people,” Borah said.
“Barshashree Borgohain was jailed for writing a poem, and an innocent youth, Kirti Kamal Bora from Nagaon, was falsely accused as a drug peddler and shot at. The inquiry later proved his innocence.” Borah also said.
“Guwahati Press Club invited Rahul Gandhi for a press interaction, but he wasn’t allowed to move freely. Yet, JP Nadda was granted permission for a roadshow in the city just days later. BJP decides what is legal based on their convenience,” Borah alleged.
Borah accused the BJP of running a “washing machine” that cleanses the corrupt when they join the party. “The CM’s Vigilance Cell calls Congress leaders for questioning, but once they join the BJP, investigations disappear. What happened to BJP’s white paper on Louis Berger and Saradha scams after Sarma joined the party?”
He also alleged that coal syndicates and illegal rat-hole mining are flourishing under BJP’s protection, particularly in Dima Hasao, where CEM Debolal Gorlosa’s wife is reportedly involved in illegal mining.
“Police registered an FIR over Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Delhi, yet they remain silent on the Umrangso coal tragedy and reports of labourers fleeing Ledo due to starvation,” he added.
Borah questioned why no BJP leaders have been arrested in the last ten years despite multiple allegations of corruption. He also raised concerns about the US court summoning Adani over forgery charges, while the Indian government remains silent.
“Why has there been no action against Adani despite serious allegations?” Borah asked, suggesting that the corporate-political nexus is shielding powerful figures.
Borah attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to address the Manipur crisis, despite attempting to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine.
“PM Modi finds time to discuss global conflicts but has no time for Manipur. Assam and the Northeast are watching,” he said.
Borah acknowledged that the Congress must work harder to be seen as a viable alternative to BJP. He criticized his party’s leadership for failing to connect with grassroots workers and questioned whether they had truly introspected on past failures.
“Orunodoi is not funded from the CM’s tea estate profits. Congress governments provided ₹5000 assistance and restored the Old Pension Scheme. But do people trust us,” he questioned.
“Booth committees must mobilize 10 lakh people under our flag. If we do this, we can throw BJP into the Brahmaputra,” he asserted.
The meeting was attended by K Raju, Debabrata Saikia, Manoj Chauhan, Krishna Das, and Ripun Borah, who echoed the demand for restoring democracy and protecting constitutional rights in Assam.
