Himanta Biswa Sarma: Voting for Ajmal and Rakibul is like expecting milk from male cow

Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma while campaigning in Dhubri, a Muslim-majority Lok Sabha constituency on May 2 spoke against the incumbency of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leader Badruddin Ajmal and the newly entered Congress candidate, Rakibul Hussain, whom he humorously referred to as a "Chalani Fish."

During his campaign trail through Dhubri, Sarma likened voting for Ajmal and Hussain to "expecting milk from a male cow,".

Addressing public gatherings in Gauripur, Bilasipara, and Golakganj, Sarma expressed confidence in the growing support for the BJP's ally, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), in areas where they previously lacked influence.

"People have realized that Ajmal’s time in Dhubri is over, and they don’t need Rakibul," Sarma stated emphatically during a rally in Golakganj, highlighting a perceived waning of support for the AIUDF and Congress in the region.

Dhubri, scheduled to vote in the third phase of the general elections on May 7, has become a focal point of political contention. With 13 candidates vying for the seat and over 2.6 million voters, the contest primarily revolves around AIUDF's Ajmal, Congress's Hussain, and AGP's Javed Islam.

The Dhubri constituency has been a stronghold for AIUDF since 2009 when Ajmal first secured victory. However, Sarma's recent campaign rhetoric reflects a concerted effort to disrupt this incumbency, with his earlier remarks about not seeking votes from certain communities resonating throughout the region.

Reacting to Sarma's campaign, Congress candidate Hussain criticized the Assam CM, accusing him of changing his stance after the initial phases of polling. Hussain alleged that Sarma's sudden interest in Dhubri stemmed from a realization that support from other communities for the BJP was lacking.