"Greater Assam cannot be reduced to regional divides": Himanta Biswa Sarma takes aim at Congress

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, January 12 slammed Congress while invoking state’s historical legacy while questioning the party’s leadership and alliances, during a government programme in Tezpur.

Addressing the gathering after distributing cheques under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Scheme to 23,291 women beneficiaries of the Tezpur constituency, the Chief Minister asserted that the idea of “Greater Assam” is deeply rooted in the contributions of Chaolung Sukaphaa and Srimanta Sankardev, and should not be reduced to regional or divisive narratives.

“Greater Assam was shaped by Chaolung Sukaphaa, and any discussion on Assam must inevitably acknowledge Sankardev. It cannot be framed as a Dhubri-versus-Sivasagar debate,” Sarma said, responding to remarks made earlier by former Congress leader Rezaul Karim Sarkar.

Taking a direct swipe at the Congress, the Chief Minister questioned why leaders such as Gaurav Gogoi and Debabrata Saikia were, in his words, excessively sympathetic towards the ‘Miya’ community, stating that he had been unable to understand the political logic behind it. He further remarked that he would not accept lectures on Assam’s identity from individuals he described as being of Bangladeshi origin.

On the issue of political alliances, Sarma dismissed speculation surrounding seat-sharing arrangements, calling alliance-building an internal matter of political parties. However, he alleged that malpractice in ticket distribution remained a serious concern within the Congress.

“I am not concerned about how many seats Congress gives to which party. What worries me are reports of money being taken in the name of tickets and that money being used for personal purposes like marriages,” the Chief Minister alleged.

 

Reiterating the ruling coalition’s stance, Sarma stated that the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) function as one entity, assuring that constituency development would not be affected by party affiliations of candidates.

Responding to questions about the alleged Pakistan link involving Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, Sarma remarked cryptically, “You have seen the trailer; now you will see the film,” hinting at further revelations.

The Chief Minister also addressed media queries on Tezpur’s overall development, highlighting the government’s commitment to infrastructure, welfare schemes, and inclusive growth.

The programme, held at the Tezpur Garhdoul ground, was attended by Tezpur MP Ranjit Dutta, along with MLAs from Tezpur, Borsola, Rangapara, and Naduar, who accompanied the Chief Minister during the event.