In a dramatic turn of events, the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi’s Congress party has encountered a roadblock in Assam. Despite the Congress’s desire to hold the yatra within Guwahati, the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has denied permission, leading to a clash between Congress workers and the Assam Police.
The tensions escalated further when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to register a case against Rahul Gandhi. In response, Gandhi remarked that Sarma’s actions were inadvertently promoting the yatra, turning the clash into a publicity opportunity.
Interestingly, Himanta Biswa Sarma, once a key member of Rahul Gandhi’s team, has now emerged as the Congress’s staunch adversary. In a bold move, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress have labeled Assam’s Chief Minister as the “most corrupt Chief Minister in the country.”
The political feud has spilled onto social media, with Sarma relentlessly targeting Congress, marking a significant shift from his earlier alliance with Rahul Gandhi. The political landscape in Assam appears to be witnessing a notable transformation as these political heavyweights lock horns in a battle of ideologies and power.
The dispute is nothing new
The ongoing feud between Congress and Himanta Biswa Sarma has deep roots, with verbal sparring becoming a norm.
Addressing the public during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam, Rahul Gandhi took a direct swipe at Himanta Biswa Sarma, labeling him as ‘the most corrupt Chief Minister in India.’ Unfazed by the accusation, Sarma hit back, asserting that the real epitome of corruption lies within the Gandhi family. From the Bofors scandal to the handling of the Bhopal gas tragedy involving Anderson, Sarma boldly proclaimed the Gandhi family as the epitome of corruption in the country.
Sarma’s criticism didn’t stop there; he went on to question the authenticity of Rahul Gandhi’s surname, claiming that it’s not genuinely ‘Gandhi.’ Alleging the use of duplicate names, Sarma quipped, “If there was a duplicate license, I would have caught it, but I don’t know what the consequences are of having a duplicate name. That’s why these people are roaming around.”
This clash between Congress and Himanta Biswa Sarma is far from new. Since his shift to the BJP in 2016, both parties have engaged in open and heated verbal exchanges. The latest chapter in this ongoing feud unfolded as the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra reached Assam, bringing the controversy back into the spotlight. Sarma dismissively referred to the yatra as ‘Mian Yatra,’ emphasizing the entrenched and bitter nature of their political rivalry.
Himanta Biswa threatened to arrest after the elections
The political drama in Assam intensifies as Himanta Biswa Sarma issues a stern warning of impending arrest for Rahul Gandhi post-elections. The controversy centers around the registration of a case against Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam, alleging a deviation from the pre-approved route. An FIR has been lodged against the main organizer, KB Byju, citing non-compliance with district administration rules and road safety regulations.
Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to kick off the yatra from within Guwahati was thwarted by the Assam Chief Minister, who cited the presence of a medical college and a nursing home within the city as grounds for denial.
Himanta Biswa Sarma explicitly stated that permission would only be granted for a route outside the city, warning of non-provision of police protection and a subsequent arrest if the yatra proceeded without authorization.
Sarma’s bold declaration drew a defiant response from Congress leaders, with Jairam Ramesh accepting the challenge and asserting that the Chief Minister could proceed as he pleased.
Meanwhile, Ashok Gehlot, another Congress leader, emphasized that it is the constitutional responsibility of the state government to ensure the safety of both Rahul Gandhi and the participants in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Gehlot criticized the selective approach to security, arguing that protection should be extended both inside and outside the city. The escalating tensions underscore the high-stakes political showdown unfolding in Assam.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was close to Rahul Gandhi
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s political trajectory, once aligned with Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, took a significant turn marked by a series of events.
Commencing his political journey in 2001, Sarma joined the Congress Party and established his prowess by winning the Jalukbari constituency elections as a Congress candidate. Over four consecutive terms, he served as an MLA and held ministerial positions in Assam’s cabinets for an impressive 20 years.
Notably close to Rahul Gandhi, Sarma’s pivotal role in the 2012 Manipur elections, where Congress secured 40 out of 60 seats under his leadership, added to his political stature. However, the shift in his allegiance to Congress became apparent during the 2011 Assam Assembly elections when he was appointed in-charge of the state.
Under Sarma’s leadership, Congress triumphed with 78 out of 126 assembly seats. A CSDS survey in 2011 indicated that 14 percent of respondents favored him as the Chief Minister if Congress formed the government. Despite these victories and popular support, Sarma’s aspiration to become the Chief Minister faced a roadblock.
Himanta Biswa Sarma sought the support of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, anticipating their endorsement for the Chief Minister’s position, especially as Tarun Gogoi had held the post for two consecutive terms. However, the party high command did not back Sarma, leading to simmering resentment. Reports also surfaced of differences between Sarma and Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
Tensions escalated in 2014 when Sarma’s relationship with his political mentor, Tarun Gogoi, strained further. Gogoi’s promotion of his son, Gaurav Gogoi, fueled Sarma’s discontent. This marked a turning point in Sarma’s political allegiance, eventually leading to his departure from the Congress in 2015.
The intricate web of personal ambitions, political dynamics, and strained relationships contributed to Himanta Biswa Sarma’s transformation from a key Congress leader to a prominent figure in the BJP.
BJP’s entry for the first time in Assam
Following his resignation from the ministry, assembly, and the Congress party in 2015, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s entry into the BJP marked a significant political shift in Assam.
Seizing the opportunity, BJP warmly welcomed Sarma into its ranks in August 2015, with the reception held at the residence of Home Minister Amit Shah. Designated as the convenor of the state election management committee, Sarma played a crucial role in orchestrating the BJP’s election campaign alongside the then state BJP president Sarbananda Sonowal. The outcome was historic, with the BJP securing victory in the 2016 Assam elections for the first time, winning 60 assembly seats while limiting the Congress to 26 seats.
As a token of recognition for his contribution, Sarma was entrusted with key departments such as finance, health, education, and public works. He ascended to the position of a cabinet minister, emerging as the most influential figure in the Sonowal cabinet. The BJP’s success continued in the 2021 assembly elections, culminating in Sarma’s appointment as the Chief Minister of Assam.
why did Himanta Biswa get angry with Congress?
In a revealing interview with a private news channel, Sarma addressed questions about his stance on Rahul Gandhi. He clarified that the issue was not a personal rivalry, stating, ‘Rahul Gandhi is not behind me, and I am also not behind Rahul Gandhi. There are individuals behind Rahul Gandhi who are forcefully promoting him, and we are addressing that aspect.’
Sarma metaphorically likened Rahul Gandhi to a batsman who consistently scores zero runs but is repeatedly fielded. His comments shed light on the perceived influence of external forces in promoting Rahul Gandhi’s political presence despite what Sarma characterizes as a lackluster track record.
When BJP made serious allegations against Sarma
Despite facing serious allegations and controversies, Himanta Biswa Sarma has emerged as a prominent political figure, currently serving as the Chief Minister of Assam.
The BJP, during the 2011 assembly elections, leveled numerous accusations against Sarma. In 2009, the party wrote to the Election Commission, alleging that Congress ministers, including Sarma, were misusing their official positions for electoral advantages and tapping the phones of BJP leaders.
Another major controversy involved Sarma’s connection to the Saradha chit fund scam. In August 2014, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted a raid at his residence in Guwahati. The investigation extended to a media house in Guwahati, headed by Sarma’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan. Subsequently, in November of the same year, Himanta Biswa Sarma underwent hours of interrogation by the CBI.
The specific accusation against Sarma was related to alleged bribery from Sudipta Sen, the owner of the Saradha Company and the primary accused in the scam. The claim suggested that Sarma received Rs 20 lakh every month from Sudipta Sen in exchange for supporting the government.
Despite these controversies, in a surprising turn of events, Himanta Biswa Sarma left the Congress party and joined the BJP. After this political switch, the CBI did not pursue further questioning or conduct additional raids. Today, Himanta Biswa Sarma stands as a leading figure within the BJP, not just in Assam but across the entire North East, underscoring the complex dynamics of Indian politics.
