Congress Criticizes Himanta Sarma’s BJP Government

In a forceful critique of the Assam government, state Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi launched a blistering attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing the BJP-led administration of undermining democratic institutions and ruling through intimidation tactics. The remarks came during a significant mass induction event organized by the Congress party in Guwahati on Sunday, as political tensions escalate ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections.

Speaking to a packed audience at the Manbendra Sharma Complex, Gogoi did not mince words when assessing public sentiment toward the current administration. “The credibility of the Chief Minister has completely eroded among the people of Assam,” he declared, suggesting a growing disconnect between the government and citizens.

The Congress leader emphasized the strength of collective action in the face of what he characterized as authoritarian governance. “Assam cannot be ruled through fear and misinformation. When people stand united, no government can intimidate them. The people of Assam are the real rulers,” Gogoi stated, framing the political contest as a struggle to restore democratic principles.

One of Gogoi’s most serious allegations centered on electoral integrity. He claimed the BJP was actively working to manipulate voter rolls and suppress participation across various communities, including tribal groups, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and minority populations. These accusations come at a particularly sensitive time, as electoral processes face heightened scrutiny nationwide.

In response to these perceived threats, Gogoi pledged that Congress would establish measures to safeguard voting rights at polling stations throughout the state and prevent what he described as the inclusion of “outsiders” in electoral lists—a pointed reference to concerns about migration and citizenship that have long dominated Assam’s political discourse.

The APCC President also targeted Chief Minister Sarma over the handling of the high-profile Zubeen Garg case, which has garnered significant public attention in Assam. Gogoi alleged that authorities had filed a “weak and compromised” charge sheet, suggesting the state government was protecting influential individuals due to their political connections. “This is a clear case of interference in the justice system,” he asserted, painting a picture of institutional corruption.

The case involving popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has become a flashpoint in state politics, with opposition parties questioning the government’s commitment to impartial justice. The accusations of political interference touch on broader concerns about the independence of investigative agencies in politically sensitive cases.

Looking beyond immediate controversies, Gogoi outlined a vision for governance that contrasted sharply with his characterization of the BJP’s approach. He described Congress’s commitment to building “a united Assam” that transcends regional divides and addresses longstanding issues affecting minority communities, land rights, and various community concerns.

This mass induction program represents a strategic effort by Congress to strengthen its organizational structure ahead of the Assembly elections. The party has been working to consolidate opposition forces and present itself as a credible alternative to the BJP, which has dominated Assam’s political landscape in recent years under Chief Minister Sarma’s leadership.

The confrontational tone of Gogoi’s address reflects the increasingly polarized political environment in Assam, where issues of identity, citizenship, and development continue to shape electoral battles. As both parties intensify their campaigns, the allegations of democratic erosion and governance failures have placed institutional integrity at the center of the state’s political discourse.

The Congress party’s aggressive posturing comes as it seeks to recapture ground in a state it once considered a stronghold but has struggled to maintain influence in recent electoral cycles.