The political temperature in Assam rose sharply on Tuesday as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, branding him “the most corrupt chief minister in India.” The remark, made during Gandhi’s visit to Assam, triggered a swift and pointed response from Sarma, signaling the intensifying battle lines ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Addressing a gathering of Congress workers and party leaders, Gandhi accused Sarma of massive corruption and claimed that the BJP leader’s fear was now clearly visible. “Congress’s brave lion will put him behind bars,” Gandhi declared, energizing party cadres. In a social media post on his official X handle, Gandhi further wrote, “The fear is clearly visible in his eyes—because now neither Modi nor Shah can save him!” referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. However, the verbal salvo did not go unanswered. CM Himanta Biswa Sarma promptly hit back on social media, referencing Gandhi’s ongoing legal troubles in the National Herald case, in which he is currently out on bail.
“I have heard that you are out on bail facing allegations of massive corruption involving over ₹5,000 crore in the National Herald scam,” Sarma posted. “You will be remembered as one of the most corrupt Congress presidents in India. To be honest, your words make no difference to me—because I know, and the country knows, that you are one of the most corrupt leaders in India today.”