Bangladeshi migrants should not vote for me: Himanta Biswa Sarma in West Bengal

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, April 19 said that the people who come from Bangladesh should not vote for him as Indian Muslims extend their support by giving BJP huge number of votes.

Addressing a public gathering in Alipurduar, Sarma said that people who have migrated from Bangladesh should not vote for him, while asserting that Indian Muslims have extended significant electoral support to the BJP. He stated that the party continues to receive “a large number of votes” from Indian Muslim communities.

Sarma also expressed confidence about the BJP’s electoral prospects in the region. He said the party is aiming to secure a “double century” of seats in West Bengal and a “century” in Assam.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on April 18 responded sharply to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s “outsider” remark, calling it hypocritical and asserting that leaders from different states campaign across the country.

Addressing reporters on the sidelines of an election rally, Sarma questioned the basis of the remark, pointing out that Banerjee herself visits Assam and that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) contests elections there.

“How are we outsiders? Even she visits Assam and TMC is contesting elections there. This hypocrisy would not work,” Sarma said.

He further criticised Banerjee, alleging that she frequently invokes the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in her speeches. “Mamata Banerjee chants the names of PM Modi and Amit Shah more than God,” he said.

The exchange comes amid heightened political rhetoric ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, where campaigning has intensified across districts, including Cooch Behar.

West Bengal is scheduled to go to polls in two phases on April 21 and April 29, with results set to be declared on May 4.