‘Mumtaz Begum is safe, her son is in touch with her’: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on October 3 sought to play down the controversy surrounding Mumtaz Begum during the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll campaign, saying her son is in regular contact with her and knows where she is.

Speaking to reporters during his campaign in Nagaon, Sarma said the issue was being unnecessarily politicised by the Congress and AIUDF.

“Mumtaz Begum’s son will himself tell you that Congress has not helped him or his family. Her son speaks to her every day and is in full touch with her,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister said Mumtaz Begum was safe and that her son was aware of her whereabouts.

“Mumtaz Begum is wherever she is, she is safe. Her son knows everything about it,” Sarma said.

Sarma also alleged that neither Congress nor AIUDF had helped the family and accused the opposition parties of doing politics over the issue.

He further claimed that Mumtaz Begum’s son was supportive of the BJP and would vote for the party in the next election.

“Even if you ask Mumtaz Begum’s son, he will tell you that next time he will vote for BJP. Even he is with BJP,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister’s remarks came amid a heated campaign for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, where BJP’s Devashish Sharma, Congress’ Sibamoni Bora and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal are among the key candidates. The constituency will vote on October 6, with counting scheduled for October 9.