Time will see who is more popular: Assam minister Jayanta Malla Baruah reacts to BJP MLA's 'shut up' remark

In a developing political controversy within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia has accused Assam cabinet minister Jayanta Malla Baruah of causing significant damage to the party's voter base in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Saikia's accusation has sparked a heated exchange between the two senior party members.

Responding to Saikia's allegations, Baruah addressed the media, expressing his confidence in his constituency's voters and defending his contributions to the party. 

Baruah emphasized that his constituency has a substantial number of Muslim voters, around 25 percent of the 50,000 total voters, and he trusts their support. 

He contrasted this with Saikia's constituency, which has only about 7 percent Muslim voters, questioning Saikia's ability to lead with a larger voter base.

"Mrinal Saikia is a senior member of our party, and what he is saying should be evaluated. He is saying that because of me, thousands of votes have been wasted. 

In my constituency, there are 50,000 voters, and 25 percent of them are Muslim. I have faith in them. And in Mrinal Saikia's constituency, there are nearly 7 percent Muslim voters only. So is it possible for him to lead with 150,000 voters? Time will see who is more popular," Baruah stated.

The disagreement escalated when Saikia took to the social media platform 'X' on May 16, urging Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to advise Baruah to refrain from making comments on party matters. Saikia's post read: "Respected HCM @himantabiswa sir, pl tell @jayanta_malla to keep his mouth shut about party affairs. He should realize by now that his style of talking has already spoiled thousands of @bjp4assam votes in this #election2024."