‘Northeast Turning Insecure Under Himanta’: Former MP at Guwahati Press Club

In a hard-hitting press conference at the Guwahati Press Club, former Member of Parliament Kirip Chaliha on Thursday launched a blistering attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of being “the root cause of growing insecurity and instability in the entire Northeast.”

Chaliha presented three major concerns: the deteriorating regional security scenario, alleged failures in India’s foreign policy, and what he termed the “deliberate social and ethnic division” under the present Assam government.

Bangladesh President’s Remarks Spark Concern

Referring to recent statements by Bangladesh President Mohammad Yunus regarding unrest in India’s Northeast — including the provocative reference to breaking the “chicken neck” corridor — Chaliha said such remarks are “deeply alarming” and should have prompted strong and immediate action from the Government of India.

He criticised New Delhi for being “unprepared and unconcerned” despite such direct geo-strategic warnings.

“Foreign Policy Has Collapsed”

Chaliha alleged that India’s foreign policy has suffered unprecedented setbacks under the BJP-led government.

• Despite aligning closely with the United States “in the quest to become a global leader,”
  he said, the same US “now issues subtle warnings to India.”

• He pointed out that Bangladesh — a nation India helped liberate under Indira Gandhi’s leadership — is now “increasingly leaning towards Pakistan.”

He also referred to the Mizoram Chief Minister’s controversial comment in the US, reportedly advocating for a “new nation,” saying it was an “extraordinary diplomatic failure.”

Accuses CM of Dividing Northeast for Political Gains

Kirip Chaliha accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of repeatedly dividing the population:

• “After dividing people in the name of religion, he is now attempting to divide communities on ethnic lines,” he alleged.

He said that although CM Sarma served as the convenor of NEDA, his political interventions in Manipur “inflamed tensions” and destabilised the state.

“His actions have fragmented Assam and the entire Northeast,” Chaliha declared.

Personal Attacks and Controversies

The former MP made a series of pointed personal and political allegations against the Chief Minister.

He criticised the CM’s comments on singer Zubeen Garg’s death, alleging that Sarma was attempting to deliberately divert the investigation.

Chaliha also mocked the Chief Minister’s claim that he avoids visiting places—including the Zubeen Kshetra—after 10 pm due to concerns about drinking and nuisance at the memorial. He countered this by saying he personally knew Sarma to have performed rituals at cremation grounds late at night, questioning the credibility of the CM’s explanation.

He further accused Sarma of displaying deep-seated jealousy, pointing to the CM’s statements such as “Moi-o Zubeen, Ami-o Zubeen.” Chaliha noted that after public criticism, this was altered to “Moi-o Zubeen Anuragi, Ami-o Zubeen Anuragi,” while arguing that the correct expression from a leader and the BJP party should have been "Zubeen Amar, Apun Zubeen", "Amar Zubeen, Nijor Zubeen".

Chaliha also alleged that the Chief Minister has a pattern of turning against those who supported his rise, remarking that “he consumes his benefactors like a python.”

Chaliha also referred to the political transition within the BJP, saying that Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal—whom he described as an honest and sincere leader—was sidelined after electoral defeat, paving the way for Himanta Biswa Sarma to become Chief Minister.

Corruption & Money Trail Allegations

The former MP mentioned several unverified financial allegations:

• Claims of hawala transactions between Assam and Singapore.

• Frequent undocumented travel by a “constitutional office-holder” to Dhaka and Chittagong.

• Questions regarding Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged foreign funds and his children studying abroad.

He also alleged that the Chief Minister has taken “commissions from every flyover built in Guwahati” and is “embroiled in multiple scandals.”

“Threat to National Security”

Chaliha concluded by warning that keeping such a person as the Chief Minister poses a “serious threat to the internal security of the Northeast,” accusing Sarma of pressuring the police and misdirecting sensitive investigations, including the Zubeen Garg case.

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