Guwahati: As the panchayat elections approach, political momentum is gathering pace across Assam, with the ruling BJP intensifying its outreach in rural pockets of the state.
In a late-night rally held on April 29 at Trilachon village, key BJP figures including Assam Public Health Engineering Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and Guwahati MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi turned up the heat on opposition parties during a charged public meeting.
The event, held in support of BJP’s candidate Prahlad Biswas from Ward No. 6 of the Nagarbera-Chamariya Zila Parishad, drew large crowds. Local villagers welcomed the BJP leaders with rhythmic drumbeats and enthusiastic chants, lending a festive atmosphere to what quickly became a platform for sharp political attacks.
Addressing the audience, both Mallabaruah and Medhi took aim at independent candidates, branding them as “engine-less contenders” in contrast to the BJP’s symbolic “engine”—a metaphor for development and stability. They urged voters to rally behind the party to ensure continued momentum in local governance.
In a thinly-veiled jab, Jayanta Mallabaruah also criticized Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi without directly naming him, linking his political stance to issues of national security. Referencing the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, Mallabaruah cautioned the public against electing individuals he alleged were backed by Pakistan-leaning ideologies or aligned with Congress, whom he accused of being “anti-national”.
Taking the rhetoric a notch higher, Mallabaruah alleged that the Congress party’s ticket distribution process is heavily influenced by money, claiming that voter frustration has escalated to such an extent that “people are now beating them up.” The minister did not provide specific examples but hinted at growing public dissatisfaction with opposition leadership.
In a curious aside, Mallabaruah also referenced the residence of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Tuliram Ronghang, saying he was only aware of Ronghang’s activities through television—an ambiguous remark that added a touch of intrigue to the speech.
The rally is indicative of the BJP’s aggressive campaign strategy in Assam’s rural belt, where the panchayat elections are seen as a critical battleground ahead of larger political contests in the coming years.
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