Tezpur (Assam): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday claimed that the Congress will contest 22 assembly seats in the upcoming elections and alleged that the party has started collecting large sums of money from its prospective candidates.
Speaking to the media at Thakurbari in the Rangapara assembly constituency of Sonitpur district, the Chief Minister said, “The Congress has indicated that each candidate will have to pay ₹1 crore in advance. They have also been informed that an additional ₹3 crore will be required later. This demand has been made primarily in Miya-dominated seats like Sojongam, Baghbar, Dalgaon, and several other seats.”
Accusing the Congress of relying entirely on Miya votes, Sarma said, “Miyans are the oxygen of the Congress. The party runs on their votes and plays politics around them. On the other hand, the BJP has done a lot of work for the Miya community.”
Comments on Polygamy and Community Issues
Responding to recent comments by some intellectuals about his stance on polygamy, the Chief Minister stated that several reforms have been initiated in Assam. He said, “We have stopped many illegal marriages. This is why many Muslims praise our work. This is not limited to the Muslim community; there are cases of polygamy among Hindus as well. We have information about this and an investigation is underway.”
Sarma further stated that Miya beneficiaries have received benefits under schemes like Arunodoi and the Chief Minister’s Entrepreneur Scheme. He said, “Good work should be recognized, but problems arise only when they try to grab land. If they continue such activities, they will have to face the consequences.”
What did the CM say about Zubin Garg and Gaurav Gogoi?
Speaking on the filing of a charge sheet against singer Zubeen Garg, Sarma said that after the process is complete, the government will make public some information related to Congress MP and Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi’s alleged ‘Pakistan connection.’ The CM told reporters, “I will not raise this issue until the Zubeen Garg case reaches its logical conclusion.”
On BJP ticket distribution and constituency delimitation
The Chief Minister made it clear that the BJP will not tolerate any irregularities like ‘setting-getting’ in ticket distribution. The party’s Parliamentary Board will decide candidates based on performance. He said, “After delimitation, all constituencies have changed and technically, I no longer have my own seat. The BJP places special emphasis on performance, youth representation, and increasing women’s participation.”
CM’s statement on the detention of ULFA (Independent) leaders
Commenting on ULFA(I) leaders Arunoday Dohotia and his bodyguard Francis, Dr. Sarma clarified that the Assam government has no plans to shift them to Delhi. The CM stressed, “Both will remain in Tinsukia. Peace talks should only be held with UKFA(I) Chief Paresh Barua. Talks with anyone else will be fruitless.”
CM Distributes Checks to Women Self Help Group Members
During a program at Thakurbari, the Chief Minister distributed checks of Rs. 10,000 each to 24,829 members of various self-help groups under the Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneurship Scheme. Sarma said the government is committed to fulfilling its promises and empowering women across Assam. He said, “Under the Arunoday Scheme, women have gained respect and financial independence.”
The event was attended by Nadur MLA Padma Hazarika, MP Ranjit Dutta, Tezpur MLA Prithviraj Rabha, Barchala MLA Ganesh Limbu, Rangapara MLA Krishna Kamal Tanti and Sonitpur Deputy Commissioner Anand Kumar Das.
