Dibrugarh: In a significant political development in Dibrugarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has effectively signaled the leadership for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections (Himanta Biswa Sarma CM Candidate). Addressing a massive gathering, Shah urged the people of Assam to ensure a third consecutive term for the BJP government under the leadership of Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. He further pledged that every single illegal infiltrator would be identified and expelled from the state.
A Strategic Declaration in Dibrugarh
The announcement comes amidst long-standing speculation regarding whether the BJP-led alliance would project former Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal or the incumbent Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma as the face for 2026 (Assam Assembly Election 2026). By making this endorsement in Dibrugarh—the hometown of Sarbananda Sonowal—Amit Shah has provided a clear direction for the party’s future hierarchy (Amit Shah Dibrugarh Speech).
The Stance on Infiltration and Demographic Change
During his address, the Union Home Minister launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing them of using illegal immigrants as a vote bank to maintain power. He highlighted the following points regarding the state’s security and integrity:
Reclaiming Land: The Home Minister credited Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for successfully reclaiming 124,000 hectares of land from illegal encroachers.
Protecting Heritage: He noted that infiltrators had previously encroached upon sacred sites like the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev and even Kaziranga National Park, where they were involved in rhino poaching.
Ensuring Security: Shah emphasized that unchecked demographic shifts pose a threat to national security and the rights of the poor, asserting that only a BJP government possesses the resolve to expel these elements.
Critique of the Congress Legacy
Shifting focus to the opposition, Amit Shah criticized Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party’s historical handling of the region. He argued that while the Congress era was defined by bullets, bomb blasts, and the tragic deaths of youth, the Modi administration has brought stability.
Under the current leadership, over 20 peace accords have been signed across the Northeast, leading to more than 10,000 youth laying down their arms to join the mainstream. “There was a time when Assam was known for the sound of gunfire; today, the melodies of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika resonate across the world,” Shah remarked. He also reminded the audience that it was the BJP government that honored legends like Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and Gopinath Bordoloi with the Bharat Ratna.
Sonowal’s Address on Past Governance
Sharing the stage, Sarbananda Sonowal echoed these sentiments, accusing the Congress of treating Assam with a “step-motherly” attitude (Sarbananda Sonowal Dibrugarh). He stated that the state remained backward for decades due to the corruption and deception practiced by previous Congress administrations.
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