Brahmins from Lower Assam cannot be CM, a myth? Sonowal says 'do not raise such questions'

GUWAHATI: Amid intense speculation over who will be the next chief minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal today averted an 'uncomfortable question' at a book launch event in the city.

 

Asked if one needs to be a non-Brahmin from Upper Assam to become the chief minister candidate from the BJP party, Sonowal said: "This is a very very...this is a question that should not be raised. Our party BJP is a very democratic party and we believe in people's democracy."

 

In 2016, the BJP party (which came to power with help from regional allies AGP and BPF) chose Sarbananda Sonowal, then a popular tribal leader who rose to prominence for his role in the rolling back of the 'pro-foreigner' IMDT Act as its chief ministerial candidate.

 

The move to project Sonowal as the chief minister was seen as a move to "appease" the tribals of the state, who form a major voting bloc in the Upper Assam constituencies, where the BJP has made significant inroads after its push conquer the Congress bastions in the Northeast.

 

At the same time, however, Himanta Biswa Sarma's popularity remains high due to his role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and his relentless push to implement government schemes in the lead up to the polls in the state.

 

On the other hand, Sonowal's reputation has taken a beating for his supposed silence over the 'pro-foreigner' CAA and his constant attacks on his former AASU colleagues who joined the agitation. Many have questioned why Sonowal, who became known due to his role in protests and agitations, slammed people for taking to the streets to oppose BJP policies in the recent past.

 

 

Congress leaders time and again attacked the BJP saying that it has "two chief ministers." At the same time, it is being rumoured that the BJP party in Assam has two factions -- one loyal to the chief minister Sonowal and the other to the Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

 

This time around, there is no clear frontrunner and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that the party high command "is yet to take a decision" in this regard.

 

Among the rivals parties, the Congress is fighting without a 'face' for the first time after the demise of the enigmatic Tarun Gogoi, who passed away at the end of 2019.

 

Although there are rumours that his son Gaurav -- likely to contest from his father's former constituency Kaliabor -- might be chief minister -- it is still early days to predict who might be the actual pick.

 

Regional parties Assam Jatiya Parishad  and Raijor Dal also seem to be divided on the choice of chief minister candidate -- with both Lurinjyoti Gogoi and the Akhil Gogoi being floated as possible candidates.