Himanta Sets the Agenda on Every Front—What Comes Next?

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a political and administrative roadmap on Sunday, focusing on the upcoming elections, as he also touched upon various aspects like campaign strategy, infrastructural projects, eviction policy, allegations against opposition leaders, and party affairs.

The Chief Minister mentioned that one-and-a-half months prior to every election period, video vans will move to different parts of the state to directly connect with people. The video vans will allow people to submit any suggestions regarding elections. Inputs would be collected from sportspersons, cultural figures and representatives from various sections of society.

Sarma announced that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Guwahati on the 14th of this month to inaugurate the Guwahati–North Guwahati bridge. In the presence of the Prime Minister, the Government of India will provide 100 electric buses to the Assam Government. During this announcement, it was confirmed that a political rally will be addressed by the Prime Minister at Khanapara during his visit.

In his view, the Khanapara meeting will be a big-scale political congregatory forum with the probable attendance of representatives from nearly 25,000 booths and 75,000 office bearers of the political parties.

Coming to national-level political developments, Sarma referred to the charges related to the Mahadev betting app case, which he claimed involved an outflow of thousands of crores of rupees through the application, with the family of the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, allegedly having an involvement. He stated that a court has ruled that proceedings against Baghel will continue in a CBI court.

USTM a ‘Hub of Fraud’, Claims Assam CM; Urges Students to Stay Away

The question of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) was described by CM Sarma as an “hub of fraud and deception.” 
Sarma stated that Delhi’s police have arrested Ashma Begum in connection with a case of cheating. The Chief Minister also stated that the revenues received by the Chancellor from USTM have been received via certain sources from factions related to Al-Qaeda. 

“Mahbabul Haque, the Chancellor of USTM, is facing legal action for allegedly fraudulently obtaining an OBC certificate. He is also involved in fraudulent activities related to medical admissions,” Sarma said.

“After Ashma Begum was arrested by Delhi Police yesterday, USTM has removed all her names from the website. I urge followers of Sanatan Dharma not to send their children to USTM for higher studies. After studying for three to four years, there may arise a situation where certificates are declared invalid. What will be the future of the students then?” he asked.

The Chief Minister further claimed that all details regarding alleged financial routing linked to extremist-associated factions are available with the government. “Stop patronising USTM so much,” he urged.

CM Targets Congress, Says Majority of Ticket Aspirants Are ‘Miya’

Targeting the Congress, Sarma claimed that out of 750 Congress ticket aspirants, nearly 600 belong to the “Miya” community. Referring to the Congress programme held in Rangia a day earlier, he alleged that it was not a genuine political meeting but a gathering organised by a particular community to consolidate the Congress vote bank.

“It is not just about who is getting Congress tickets, but from which community. Only around 120 or 130 aspirants are genuine Hindu people; the rest are all Miya,” Sarma said.

“I was shocked to see the meeting conducted by Congress in Rangia yesterday. This was not a Congress meeting, but an ‘Istema’,” he alleged, referring to a religious congregation.

“The Congress has now become a big challenge to our religion, culture and tradition, and for the sake of the people of Assam, this party must be defeated,” he added.

Commenting on the political atmosphere at Rajiv Bhawan, Sarma said it was not festive but dominated by what he termed a “Miya environment.”

Assam CM Says Toll Should Be Charged Only from Trucks and Buses

On the Guwahati–North Guwahati toll gate issue, Sarma said repeatedly charging toll is wrong. He clarified that the government’s intention was to collect toll only from trucks and buses, a position he said he had stated earlier. He accused sections of the media of spreading misinformation and questioned what alternatives remain if false narratives continue to be circulated.

‘Only Miya Encroachments Will Be Evicted’: Himanta Draws Clear Line in Guwahati

Reiterating his stand on eviction, the Chief Minister asserted that there will be no eviction of Assamese residents from the hills of Guwahati. “Only Miya encroachments will be evicted. There will be no eviction of Assamese people,” he said. He added that deliberate misinformation was being spread by a particular television channel and remarked that continuous false reporting increases pressure and even affects people’s health.

"Me and Sarbananda Sonowal have been in power for the last 10 years and 10 months. Has there been any eviction notice served to Assamese people living in the hills of Guwahati? Have we conducted eviction drives in places like Nabagraha or Noonmati hill areas?” Sarma asked.
“Instead, we are giving patta land to our people in the hills with a Cabinet decision of zero premium. Nearly 1,000 people have already received pattas. Why would we evict them?” he said, questioning the source of the rumours.

Sarma said people are getting anxious due to fake news being promoted on the issue by a particular news channel. “What will people think when no such eviction action actually takes place?” he asked.

CM Links APCC Chief Gaurav Gogoi to Pakistan, Promises Revelations in Days

The Chief Minister also made fresh allegations against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, claiming Gogoi has links related to a power plant project connected to Pakistan. He said the details are serious and “frightening” and will be made public within four to five days.

“We have called national media journalists and will make everything public in the next few days, probably after the Budget session,” Sarma said.

‘Only One Lobby in BJP: Bharat Mata’, Says Himanta

Responding to Gogoi’s remarks on lobbying within the BJP, Sarma said, “He may claim there is a lobby inside the BJP, but there is only one lobby, and that is to protect Bharat Mata and ensure BJP’s victory. His allegations stem from Pakistani influence.”

“Everyone in Indian politics knows that BJP has only one agenda—every member and worker will dedicate at least 10 per cent of their effort to Bharat Mata,” he added.

BJP Gears Up for Elections With Massive Booth-Level Mobilisation

On seat-sharing, Sarma claimed that discussions are on among allies, and seat allocation would be made under the banner of the NDA, as opposed to BJP. The BJP leader claimed that there is no issue of tickets in BJP, adding that tickets are not sold for ₹50,000 as claimed. The BJP leader claimed that there are two individuals who were seeking tickets through the newspapers, and they would be placed in the red category and would not be issued any tickets, including in Palashbari.

On the issue of party discipline, Sarma told Congress leaders, “They can definitely join us, but they can’t carry their party culture along.” In brief words, he told Congress leaders that merely being a member of the party does not mean they will surely get a ticket.

Also Read: ‘Never Again’: Congress Shuts Door on Himanta Biswa Sarma