Assam Chief Minister Vows to Crush Encroachers Before National Political Shift
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made a bold declaration on Thursday, stating he will move to the national stage only after breaking the backbone of those he has taught a lesson in the next five years. This indirect reference points to thousands of Bangladesh-origin migrants evicted from forest and government lands over the past five years.
Sarma's Firm Stance on Encroachment and Political Future
While campaigning in Barpeta, Sarma told the media, "When the time comes, I will go to Delhi. Let it come. If I leave now, those whom I have taught lessons will attack me. Let me break their backbones—which I will do in five years." He emphasized that this is not about Hindu-Muslim politics but about freeing encroached lands for proper use.
Sarma highlighted that Assam has 50 lakh bigha of encroached holdings, with only 1.5 lakh bighas freed so far. "After that, forest land goes back to the forest and freed government land to the landless under the land policy," he added, outlining a clear plan for land management.
Criticism of Congress and Cultural Identity Debate
On the campaign trail, Sarma tore into the Congress party, questioning its slogan of building a "Notun Bor Axom (new greater Assam)." He argued, "Greater Assam was already built by Sukaphaa and Sankardev. What more will we add?" referencing historical figures who unified Assam.
He accused Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi of attempting to redefine Assamese cultural identity by linking Ajan Peer with Sankardev, ignoring Madhavdev. Sarma stated, "Gaurav wants to change Assamese culture's definition. He wants that the indigenous Assamese people live together with Bangladeshis. We do not want a Bor Asom of this type."
Electoral Dominance in Jalukbari Constituency
Sarma, seeking to retain the Jalukbari seat for the sixth consecutive time, predicts 85-90% voter support this election. Before delimitation, Jalukbari was a mixed urban-rural constituency where Sarma's dominance was unchallenged, with a 2021 landslide win of 77.39% vote share and a margin over 1 lakh votes.
Post-delimitation, the constituency has expanded with over 40,000 more voters, becoming more urban-suburban. This change favors BJP's development-centric pitch and Sarma's urban appeal, solidifying Jalukbari as his political fortress since his 2001 victory after an initial loss in 1996.
