Chaygaon, Assam: In a charged atmosphere resonating with political fervor, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today unleashed a fierce broadside against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP governments at both the state and national levels.
Addressing a massive gathering in Chaygaon, Gandhi levelled serious accusations of widespread corruption, land grabbing, electoral manipulation, and a betrayal of the common people, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections.
Drawing clear ideological lines, Gandhi asserted, “On one side, there is the RSS ideology of hatred, division, and violence among brothers. On the other, the Congress stands for truth, non-violence, and building an equal, peaceful society. This battle between two ideologies is ongoing.” He painted a grim picture of Assam’s political and economic landscape, linking it to a larger national crisis where governance is allegedly being replaced by authoritarianism and public resources diverted to corporate giants.
Gandhi didn’t hold back, declaring, “The Chief Minister doesn’t see himself as a public servant but as a king. And this king is handing over your land and money to Ambani and Adani.” The crowd’s reaction was palpable, as Gandhi further alleged that despite CM Sarma’s outwardly combative demeanour, he is driven by fear. “Look closely when he speaks on TV—you will see fear in his eyes. He talks big, shouts a lot, but deep down he knows the truth: the day is near when the Congress babbar shers (lions) will send him to jail.”
Targeting Sarma and his family directly, Gandhi accused them of deep-rooted corruption and land-grabbing across the state. “He knows the kind of corruption he and his family are involved in. One day, he’ll have to answer to the people of Assam. When I make a prediction, it comes true. I warned about demonetization, COVID, and GST—and I was right. Now I say this: Himanta Biswa Sarma is going to jail. Not even Modi or Amit Shah will be able to protect him.” Labelling the Chief Minister a “24/7 land thief,” Gandhi added, “He is obsessed with land—solar parks, resorts, whatever he can grab. This corrupt man is stealing Assam’s land around the clock.”
Expressing grave concerns about electoral integrity, Gandhi warned that the alleged voter list tampering seen in Maharashtra and Bihar would soon reach Assam. “In Maharashtra, one crore mysterious voters suddenly appeared. No one knows who they are. The Election Commission refuses to share the list or CCTV footage. They’ve now started doing the same in Bihar, removing crores of poor, farmer, and Congress voters. Assam is next.” He further claimed that the Election Commission is no longer an independent body, but is functioning under the BJP’s direction. “ECI is now part of the conspiracy. It is acting at the behest of the BJP.”
Looking towards the 2026 Assembly elections, Gandhi exuded confidence in the Congress’s resurgence under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi. “The 2026 elections are close. The Congress will win in a sweep. We now have a dynamic state team led by Gaurav Gogoi. Assam is ready for change.” He also accused the BJP of dismantling the nation’s economic backbone, stating, “Labourers, farmers, small businesses—these are the people suffering while five or six billionaires are benefitting. Youth are jobless, fuel and vegetable prices are rising, and public institutions—schools, colleges, hospitals—are being privatized.”
Joining Gandhi on stage, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge amplified the critique of BJP’s governance in Assam and across the country. “Assam has always been Congress territory. BJP and RSS tried since the 1940s to take root here but failed—until they hijacked one of our own to form a government. That’s how they got in.” Kharge lauded Gaurav Gogoi for his leadership and affirmed the party’s comprehensive strategy for the state. “Thanks to Gaurav Gogoi for stepping up despite his national role. Under Rahul’s guidance, we have a strong plan for Assam’s future.”
Kharge highlighted Assam’s escalating debt burden under BJP rule, noting, “In the last 10 years, the BJP government has saddled Assam with a ₹2 lakh crore debt. Who will repay this? The people will suffer.” He branded the BJP as a “bogus government” that thrives on intimidation, propaganda, and crony capitalism. “Modi made Ambani’s fortune grow from ₹8,000 crore to ₹13 lakh crore. How? By looting the poor. They take a 25% cut, keep 75% for themselves, and use the rest to fund RSS-BJP operations. This is Modi’s udeshya (goal).”
Addressing specific concerns, Kharge raised the issue of home demolitions and the plight of tea garden workers. “Just last week, 2,000 families in Dhubri had their homes bulldozed. When Congress returns, we will rebuild them. And what about tea garden workers? They don’t even receive minimum wages.” He also criticised the so-called ‘double-engine’ BJP governance model on the infrastructure front: “It took us two hours to travel from Guwahati to Chaygaon. Where is the road infrastructure BJP promised? This government is looting in the name of development.”
Kharge further delved into contentious issues like illegal migration and the BJP’s alleged hypocrisy on cow protection. “Don’t use the illegal migrant issue to scare people. Genuine citizens whose names are on the voter list must stay. Illegal migrants should be deported as per law.” He claimed, “BJP leaders worship cows in public, but behind the scenes, they’re stealing and smuggling them. Ministers and officers took Gir cows from Gujarat—and many are missing. They drink the milk, eat the meat, and then steal the cows. What kind of politics is this?” Additionally, Kharge accused BJP leaders of involvement in smuggling rackets: “There’s a nexus of coal smuggling, betel nut smuggling, and gutkha trade. It’s all happening under this government’s watch.”
Concluding his fiery speech with a pointed jibe, Kharge advised, “I advise the government to modernize Assam’s jails—they’ll need it after Congress comes to power.” Today’s rhetoric signals an aggressive posture from the Congress as it prepares for the 2026 Assam Assembly polls, directly challenging the personal integrity of BJP leaders and aiming to leverage rural discontent, inflation, and allegations of crony capitalism. The political landscape in Assam is undeniably poised for a high-decibel, high-stakes showdown.
Read More: Gandhi Lambasts Sarma, Alleges ‘King-like’ Rule and Corporate Handover of Assam’s Resources