As Elections Near, Congress Forces Assam to Ask: Who Is Himanta Biswa Sarma?

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Wednesday launched a sharp political offensive against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, unveiling a campaign titled “Who is Himanta Biswa Sarma?” at a special press conference held at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati.

The event was aimed at, as Congress leaders put it, “exposing the real face” of the Chief Minister before the people of Assam.

The press conference was attended by senior Congress leaders including Chhattisgarh’s former Chief Minister and Congress election observer Bhupesh Baghel, AICC General Secretary in charge of Assam Jitendra Singh, and APCC president Gaurav Gogoi. The event began with the release of a video titled “Who is Himanta Biswa Sarma”, followed by the unveiling of a QR-code-enabled public template designed to make information about the Chief Minister’s alleged misconduct easily accessible to citizens.

According to the Congress, the video outlines what it calls seven faces of Himanta Biswa Sarma, portraying him as an arrogant and authoritarian Chief Minister, a land grabber involved in family-run businesses, one of the most corrupt Chief Ministers in the country, a leader who has deceived ethnic communities, a habitual political turncoat, a “serial liar,” and a Chief Minister who allegedly insulted Assamese cultural icon Zubeen Garg.

Addressing the media after the launch, APCC president Gaurav Gogoi alleged that the Chief Minister and his family members have acquired vast tracts of land across Assam in violation of existing rules. Gogoi claimed that the actual extent of land owned in the names of Sarma’s wife and other family members remains unclear even today. He said the Congress has constituted a special team that is actively investigating these alleged land holdings in coordination with the public.

To speed up this process, the Congress launched a dedicated website, whoishbs.com, during the press conference. Gogoi said the website allows citizens to upload information about properties allegedly purchased by the Chief Minister across different parts of Assam. “If people provide us with credible information, our team will personally verify it and place all facts before the public,” Gogoi said. Alongside the website, the Congress also released a phone number—9133400200—urging citizens to share information about alleged benami properties.

Calling it a “moment of change,” Gogoi said that only political change can protect Assam’s land, its people, and the ethical values of its politics. He further alleged that preliminary information suggests that nearly 12,000 bighas of land have been acquired by the Chief Minister and his family members by violating land laws, including converting agricultural land into industrial land through irregular means. Gogoi said details of these alleged violations would be made public in the coming days.

He also asserted that the people of Assam no longer fear intimidation and have begun to recognise what he described as the “true nature” of a Chief Minister who repeatedly lies. “This time, people will courageously expose corruption through phone calls, websites, and public participation,” Gogoi said.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who is also a Congress observer for Assam, went a step further, branding Himanta Biswa Sarma a “master conman.” Baghel alleged that Sarma has deceived everyone close to him and, along with his wife, runs what he described as a “loot network” in Assam while operating under the political protection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He accused the Chief Minister of attempting to “sell Assam.”

Baghel also drew parallels with national and international issues, referring to the global controversy surrounding the Epstein files. He accused the BJP of selectively amplifying narratives like The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Files while remaining silent on the Epstein revelations. Baghel claimed that the Indian government’s recent trade and tariff negotiations with the United States, including reductions in import duties, were linked to international pressure arising from the Epstein case. He further alleged that decisions affecting oil imports and agricultural trade would severely impact Indian farmers.

“This is not a double-engine government, it is a government that inflicts double trouble,” Baghel said, adding that the time for political change in Assam has arrived. He said the public is now waiting to see whether Himanta Biswa Sarma will respond to the allegations raised by the Congress.

AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh also accused the Chief Minister of “selling Assam” for personal and family gain. Echoing the campaign slogan, Singh questioned who Himanta Biswa Sarma really is, alleging that Sarma and his family have acquired nearly 12,000 bighas of land and floated at least 17 companies in their names. Singh further claimed that more than 40,000 bighas of land have been handed over to corporate groups such as Adani, Ambani, and Patanjali.

Singh accused the Chief Minister of betraying every political ally he has ever had, including his former mentors Hiteswar Saikia and Tarun Gogoi, and sidelining former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for personal ambition. He alleged that Sarma has imposed an unofficial “HBS tax” across Assam, claiming that bribes are demanded for infrastructure projects, construction activities, and government contracts, which he said are monopolised by a small group of contractors.

He also listed multiple alleged scams involving the Chief Minister, including the Louis Berger case, the Saradha scam, PM Sampada irregularities, and alleged corruption in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council. Singh said Himanta Biswa Sarma has made Assam infamous nationwide as the “most corrupt Chief Minister,” leaving Assamese people feeling embarrassed.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, said that no amount of publicity by the Chief Minister or his supporters can hide the truth from the people. He said the newly released video reflects realities that the public already knows and added that more evidence would be released in the coming days. Saikia accused Sarma of failing as a minister despite being in power for 25 years and held him responsible for the present condition of Assam. He also alleged that Sarma facilitated corruption in the Public Works Department and used the Citizenship Amendment Act to bring in outsiders.

Responding to questions on the Chief Minister’s repeated allegations about “Pakistan links,” Gogoi questioned why such claims were not pursued seriously since September if they were indeed so important. “No one takes his statements seriously anymore,” Gogoi said.

Gogoi also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite visiting Assam multiple times at Sarma’s invitation, was never requested to visit Jorhat’s Jubeen Field to pay respects to cultural icon Zubeen Garg or to offer condolences to his family. He said the Chief Minister should have urged the Prime Minister to personally express solidarity with the grieving family.

Also Read: “Vote Theft, Land Loot, Cattle Smuggling”: Gaurav Gogoi Launches Scathing Broadside Against Himanta Govt