Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a scathing critique of the Congress party and its state president, Gaurav Gogoi, on January 16, accusing them of undermining the state’s welfare and identity by bowing to a certain community for political gain. During a Facebook Live address, Sarma claimed he would soon reveal information about an Assam MP allegedly having clandestine ties with Pakistan and demonstrating “special affection” toward a specific community.
While he did not name Gogoi directly, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has persistently suggested that Gogoi, also the Congress MP from Jorhat and deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, is linked to the neighboring nation. Sarma stated, “The Congress has kneeled before a particular community. If it were for the good of society, it would be different. But it is at the cost of our motherland’s welfare and our people’s identity. This cannot be accepted. The Congress and Gaurav Gogoi must understand this.”
He warned that such “special affection” and covert contacts with Pakistan present serious threats to Assam, asserting that “our ‘jati’ is in danger” and claiming that vested interests are attempting to weaken the state. He emphasized the importance of unity among people to secure a victory in what he described as a “war of identity.”
The Chief Minister referenced a recent controversy involving Rejaul Karim Sarkar, the former president of the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU), who made contentious remarks while joining the Congress on January 11, before resigning on January 14. Sarma noted, “When someone joins the Congress, we usually do not comment as it is their internal matter. But a controversial statement was made about turning Sivasagar into Dhubri and vice versa.”
Sarma claimed that approximately 80% of Dhubri’s population comprises individuals of Bangladeshi origin, which he argued is diluting Assamese culture in the western district. In stark contrast, he portrayed Sivasagar as the cultural and historical heart of Assam, being the first capital of the Ahom dynasty and the birthplace of the first Assamese newspaper, Orunudoi. He stressed that transforming one district into another was impossible due to their unique characteristics, adding that such suggestions are met with objections, especially when they involve settling people of Bangladeshi descent in Sivasagar.
Further, Sarma accused Sarkar of discussing “education jihad” and advocating for deputy commissioners in regions like Sivasagar, Jorhat, and Guwahati to be from Bangladeshi-origin communities. He criticized Gogoi for remaining silent during these comments, suggesting that he should have expelled Sarkar if he did not retract his statements.
“Instead, Sarkar resigned on his own and is now being portrayed as a hero among minority communities. Gogoi permitted this at the expense of Sivasagar’s ‘asmita’ and pride,” Sarma claimed. He also condemned Gogoi for not taking action against another Congress figure who recently advocated for religious-based reservations, stating that such inaction indicates a lack of accountability in leadership.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/congress-gaurav-gogoi-kneeling-before-particular-community-for-own-interests-himanta-1332395-2026-01-16?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-01-16 23:04:00
