Addressing a gathering in Majuli on April 1, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered a striking analogy, likening the act of voting for the opposition to a snake bite in a game of snakes and ladders.
Drawing parallels to the popular board game, Sarma said, "Just like a snake bite in a snake-ladder game makes a resumption in the game, voting for the opposition will also be a waste of your vote."
"Now Majuli has to go from 100 to 110..now we have to move forward and if we are eaten by a snake, we will fall," remarked the Chief Minister, invoking the journey of progress for Majuli. He urged the electorate to eschew divisive politics and embrace a unified vision for growth and prosperity.
Highlighting the significance of effective representation, Sarma stated the role of elected officials in advocating for the needs of the region. "We need representatives in parliament who can engage with the central government and advocate for the development of Majuli," he said.
Addressing the dynamics of governance, Sarma stated the need for alignment between the central and state governments. "When four engines pull the train in one direction, then the train will run well," he remarked, advocating for synergy and coordination among stakeholders.
Reflecting on the historical challenges faced by Majuli, the Chief Minister spoke about the transformative impact of recent initiatives, citing a shift towards forward-looking policies under the BJP-led government. "Now, at least after 2014, once BJP came to power, there are not many people pulling Majuli behind...everyone is now pulling forward and Majuli is developing," he declared, urging voters to choose progress over regression.