Amid intensified election campaigns by the ruling BJP and the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, held rallies in Assam’s Biswanath, Golaghat, and Kamalpur. He accused the BJP government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of corruption, labeling Sarma as the “most corrupt chief minister in India.” Gandhi claimed that a Congress victory would lead to Sarma’s imprisonment and denounced divisive politics in Assam, emphasizing the state’s legacy of love and unity promoted by its leaders.
Challenging Sarma’s credibility, Gandhi metaphorically compared him to a deer frightened of a lion, suggesting that Sarma issues erratic statements out of fear of legal repercussions. He assured constituents that legal action against Sarma was not only probable but certain, stating, “There will be no forgiveness.” Highlighting Assam’s richness in diverse communities, Gandhi criticized the BJP for allocating vast lands to corporate entities like Adani and questioned the legitimacy of such allotments, arguing they belong to the people of Assam. He expressed dissatisfaction with the BJP’s unfulfilled election promises, such as the grant of ST status to six communities and the unjustified payments received by tea garden workers.
In contrast, Gandhi pledged that a Congress government would ensure better remuneration for tea workers (Rs 450 per day), fulfill the ST status promise, and provide financial support to women for business ventures through unconditional monthly cash transfers.