Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi over his recent remarks on building a “Bor Assam,” accusing him of being disconnected from the state’s ground realities and engaging in superficial politics.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines of a government programme, Sarma said Gogoi appeared to visit Assam “like a tourist” and lacked a serious understanding of the state’s social and political context. “He comes, makes statements and leaves. He does not seem to understand Assam’s complexities,” the Chief Minister remarked, taking a swipe at the Congress leader.
The Chief Minister’s comments came amid intensifying political exchanges ahead of the 2026 Assam Assembly elections, with both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress sharpening their rhetoric on issues of development, identity and governance. Sarma questioned the intent behind the “Bor Assam” narrative, suggesting it was aimed more at political messaging than offering a concrete vision for the state.
During the interaction, Sarma also highlighted the BJP government’s development initiatives, particularly welfare schemes targeting women and rural livelihoods. He cited the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA), stating that thousands of women across several constituencies had already benefitted and that the scheme would be expanded further in the coming months.
In a separate announcement, the Chief Minister informed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to visit Assam later this week. Shah is expected to lay the foundation stone for the second phase of the Assam Legislative Assembly complex in Dibrugarh and attend a series of official and party programmes.
The political sparring between Sarma and Gogoi reflects the broader tussle between the BJP and the Congress in Assam, where debates over regional identity, demographic concerns and development models continue to dominate public discourse. With elections drawing closer, analysts expect such exchanges to intensify as parties seek to consolidate their respective support bases across the state.
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