Guwahati, Jan 21: Senior Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday claimed that the BJP’s “double-engine” government at the Centre and in Assam would come to an end, alleging corruption and misuse of power under the leadership of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, Baghel, who is also the AICC senior observer for Assam, alleged that Sarma and his family had accumulated wealth by violating rules. He referred to Sarma’s election affidavits, stating that assets declared at around Rs 1 crore in 2006 had increased to about Rs 17 crore by 2021, while alleging that the actual assets were much higher. Baghel also cited remarks made earlier by Rahul Gandhi, who had described Sarma as the “most corrupt chief minister” in the country.
Baghel said Sarma, who had earlier served as a minister during the Congress government in Assam before joining the BJP in 2015, had faced corruption allegations in the past. He alleged that after joining the BJP, Sarma was shielded from scrutiny. Baghel also announced that the Congress was in discussions with other opposition parties to form an alliance for the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, adding that further details would be shared at a later stage.
Another AICC senior observer for Assam and former Union Minister Bandhu Tirkey, who was present at the press conference, criticised the central government, alleging an “authoritarian style of functioning” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Tirkey claimed that a similar approach was being followed in Assam and said the Congress would raise issues related to alleged corruption.
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi said the BJP-led government could be removed through a united opposition. He referred to internal differences within the BJP, including between Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Gogoi also pointed to uncertainty over the BJP’s alliances in Bodoland, including with parties such as the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) and the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF).
Gogoi cited the results of the recent Bodoland Territorial Council elections, in which the BPF won 28 seats, while the UPPL secured seven and the BJP five. He said the Congress was committed to protecting Assam’s heritage and working towards what he described as a “Natun Bor Asom” (new greater Assam).
