A commonly spoken rhetoric in Assam has showcased the Congress as a weak opposition player for whom it might be difficult to overthrow the BJP government in the upcoming elections in the state. However, in the past few days, the political atmosphere in the state is seen to be changing, and the narrative game appears to be tilting towards the Congress, according to political observers in the state.
As the entire election campaign, just a few days before the elections, is seen to have shifted from manifesto promises to personal attacks, with both the national parties levelling allegations against each other of being involved in anti-national activities. Himanta, from the start of his election campaign, has targeted the chief ministerial face of Congress, Gaurav Gogoi, alleging that he is a national threat and has links with Pakistan. But the much hotter political battle erupted after the Congress Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department, Pawan Khera, cornered Sarma by alleging that his wife might be possessing passports of three countries and that he has concealed information about her properties.
At a press conference held on Sunday, calling it the biggest revelation, Khera had presented documents as evidence to support his allegations that Himanta’s wife, Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, holds three passports—one from the UAE, a second from Antigua and Barbuda, and a third from Egypt.
Himanta Biswa Sarma's entire politics is predicated on a communal pitch; yet, his wife holds passports from two Muslim countries, Khera alleged. He further alleged that they might be making preparations to flee the country in the event of an electoral defeat.
After such allegations, there have been back-and-forth accusations and counter-allegations from both sides, as Sarma on Monday alleged that Congress was unleashing a “foreign-influenced misinformation campaign” against him and his wife ahead of the April 9 Assembly elections. Even the Prime Minister Narendra Modi entered the rhetorical exchange and alleged that Congress was echoing Pakistan’s stand, particularly during Operation Sindoor.
This bitter tussle in assembly elections, especially in Assam, driven by strong personalities like Himanta — a personal allegation against Himanta carries meaning or maybe a significant pushback from the Congress just days before the elections. However, Himanta has claimed that he will fight it legally.
Yet political observers believe that such rhetorical confrontation based on a political plank, calling each other anti-national may not translate into votes for either side. However, the Congress is viewed as having gained on other fronts substantially. Sushanta Talukdar, a political commentator in Assam, says that after the opposition parties have been able to come together and support each other in every constituency in an organised way, they have, perception-wise, attracted voters, but whether that will translate into votes remains uncertain. A section of political observers believe the Congress party is seen to have emerged as a formidable challenge for the BJP unlike what it was a few weeks before.
