“Frivolous, Absurd Remarks Don’t Merit a Response”: Debabrata Saikia Attacks Assam CM

Guwahati: Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) leaders on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of making irresponsible and misleading statements for electoral gains, even as the party mourned the demise of senior Congress leader Golap Saikia.

Addressing the media after paying tributes to Golap Saikia—former president of the Golaghat District Congress Committee and an APCC general secretary—Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia questioned the Chief Minister’s repeated allegations linking APCC president Gaurav Gogoi and his family to Pakistan.

“Which almanac (Panjika) is the Chief Minister consulting to make such claims?” Saikia asked, alleging that Sarma is obsessed with targeting Gogoi. “His remarks are frivolous and absurd and do not even merit a response,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the Chief Minister’s credibility, Saikia remarked,

“Did Himanta Biswa Sarma pass his examinations by copying? Would an educated doctor speak in this manner?” He added that the public had placed a “frivolous leader” in power in the hope of achieving ‘good days’.

Saikia further challenged the Chief Minister to face Gaurav Gogoi in a direct, televised debate.

Responding to allegations that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had insulted Assam and shown disrespect to President Droupadi Murmu by not wearing the Assamese gamusa at the ‘At Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Saikia accused the Chief Minister and the government of distorting Assam’s cultural symbols for political benefit.

“I strongly condemn the Chief Minister’s approach. The gamusa has a GI tag, yet what was offered to our leaders was not even a proper Assamese gamusa. Is this what the government wants to project as a GI-tagged gamusa? What was paraded in its name was a distorted piece of cloth, amounting to an insult to Assamese culture,” he said.

Earlier in the day, the APCC expressed deep sorrow over the death of Golap Saikia. Party flags were flown at half-mast, and his mortal remains were brought to Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, where senior leaders and party workers, including Debabrata Saikia, paid their last respects.

“If Gaurav Gogoi Has Pakistan Links, What Was Amit Shah Doing All These Years?”: Mira Borthakur

Assam Mahila Congress leader Mira Borthakur launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government, questioning the repeated allegations against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi. She said that if Gogoi truly has links with Pakistan, then Union Home Minister Amit Shah must have been “grazing horses” all these years, as no action has been taken so far.

She further asked whether the Chief Minister had managed to “produce a body double of Rahul Gandhi,” taking a dig at what she described as baseless and exaggerated claims. Borthakur alleged that whenever questions are raised about the increase in the assets of Riniki Bhuyan, the chief minister of the state conveniently brings up Pakistan to divert attention.

Using a proverb, she said that after committing “a hundred wrongs, even the tiger must face death,” accusing the chief minister of constantly harping on “Miya” and Pakistan while avoiding answers to real questions. “Why does the Chief Minister not respond to the questions that actually need answers?” she asked.

Borthakur also alleged corruption, claiming that flyovers and buildings are constructed only to extract a “60–40 commission.” She said Himanta Biswa Sarma keeps making reckless statements because he is “haunted by the fear of Gaurav Gogoi.”

Clarifying a recent controversy, she said Gogoi could not unfurl the National flag on the occasion of Republic Day only because he had to urgently travel to Delhi. She also questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission, asking how the Chief Minister is able to “cut 'Miya' votes” if the poll body is truly impartial.

She challenged Himanta Biswa Sarma to stop making random allegations about Gaurav Gogoi and instead face him in a direct television debate.

On the gamosa issue, she said that in the name of a gamosa, the government has paraded some other piece of cloth, thereby distorting and insulting the gamosa. “It is they who have insulted the gamosa,” she added.

Congress Ticket Application Rush

Meanwhile, the APCC witnessed heavy footfall at Rajiv Bhawan on the final day for submission of applications from aspirants seeking Congress tickets for the upcoming Assembly elections.

The application process, which began on January 5, has so far seen over 750 aspirants submitting their forms. According to party sources, the APCC has collected more than ₹3.75 crore as application fees.

With today being the last date, many aspirants continued to arrive at Rajiv Bhawan to file their nominations. APCC vice-president Naba Talukdar submitted his application from the New Guwahati constituency, accompanied by over a hundred supporters and traditional drumbeats.

Speaking after filing his application, Talukdar said, “Not just New Guwahati, but the entire city is looking for relief from the BJP. Guwahati is surrounded by hills, yet beyond flyovers, nothing has been done for the hill communities. This time, the people will give a fitting reply to the BJP.”

Expressing confidence ahead of the polls, Talukdar asserted that the Congress would form the government in Assam in 2026.

‘February 8’ Remark

Referring to the Assam Chief Minister’s recent remarks on the proposed disclosure of an SIT report concerning Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged Pakistan links, Talukdar pointed out what he described as inconsistencies in the Chief Minister’s statements on dates and “auspicious timings.”

“The Chief Minister said the SIT report on Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged Pakistan connection would be revealed on February 8. However, his birthday falls on the 1st of the February month. A person born on the first day of the month is now saying he will hold a press conference on the 8th. That day will be inauspicious, as the number 8 (eight) is associated with Shani (Saturn). From that day, the Chief Minister’s bad phase—will begin,” the APCC vice-president said, taking a dig at Himanta Biswa Sarma.

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