Gaurav Gogoi would need ‘seven births’ to rename Barpeta Medical College: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directly targeted Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi over his pledge to rename Barpeta Medical College, declaring that Gogoi "would need to be born seven times to match our efforts." Sarma insisted the institution's name honours the place, not any individual, dismissing Gogoi's promise to revert it to Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College.

 

Gogoi made the commitment while campaigning in Mandia on March 25, prompting Sarma's rebuttal during Vijay Sankalp rallies in Sarthebari (Barpeta district) and Bajali. Campaigning for alliance candidate Deepak Kumar Das, Sarma likened the AGP-BJP tie-up to the unbeatable "Bundiya-Bhujia" snack duo.

 

Sarma ramped up his attack, accusing Congress of redefining "Bor Asom"—Assam's cultural heartland forged by Srimanta Sankardev—by shoehorning in figures like Ajan Fakir while sidelining Madhavdev. "They are trying to include Bangladeshis in that definition," he said, slamming the party's inconsistent cultural narrative.

 

Sarma outlined aggressive action on encroachments, noting 1.5 lakh bighas already cleared from 50 lakh under illegal occupation. "In the coming days, we plan to evict encroachments from nearly 5 lakh bighas. The reclaimed land will be redistributed among economically weaker sections," he stated.

 

The BJP manifesto, or Sankalp Patra, drops soon with 31 firm commitments, promising a "renewed vision and strength." Sarma mocked Gogoi's candidacy in Jorhat, quipping he contests "just for the sake of getting married," claiming victory would precede his wedding.

 

A mega roadshow looms in Mangaldoi today, from Vidyapith High School playground to Bhebarghat, as polls heat up. Sarma touted successes like slashed rhino poaching through "strict investigations and strong actions," while questioning Congress's Jalukbari prospects.