Guwahati: A strong wave of allegations and counter-allegations has surged across Assam’s political landscape. In particular, a direct challenge thrown at Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma by his former close associate and current Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain has created a major political stir across the state. Addressing a press conference in Nagaon on Tuesday, the MP revealed several explosive aspects (Rakibul Hussain SIT Report Delay).
Rakibul Hussain’s Explosive Questions and Congress Protest in Nagaon
The war of words began over the unusual delay in making public the alleged information regarding Pradesh Congress President Gaurav Gogoi’s so-called links with Pakistan. Although these details were supposed to be disclosed on September 10 last year, the Chief Minister made them public only on February 8 after a prolonged gap of six months. In this context, Rakibul Hussain raised a serious question by referring to the Chief Minister’s earlier remarks. He pointed out that when journalists had asked on September 10 why the information had not been made public, the Chief Minister had argued that the SIT report could not be released due to the complex situation arising from the death of Zubeen Garg.
Strongly opposing this explanation, Hussain said, “Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced that the SIT report would be made public on September 10 last year. The people of Assam waited on September 10. But he backed out. The information was not made public at that time. Similarly, it was not released in October, November, December, or January either. It was finally made public on February 8. When journalists asked at that time why it was not released on September 10, the Chief Minister said it could not be made public due to the complex situation created by the death of Zubeen Garg. My direct question is—how did Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma know on September 10 that Zubeen Garg would be murdered on September 19?”
Hussain further said, “Zubeen Garg did not die a natural death. The Chief Minister himself has referred to it as a murder. Therefore, we again ask how Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma knew on September 10 about the death of Zubeen Garg, who was killed on September 19.”
Referring to political calculations, the MP claimed that dissatisfaction is now prevailing even within the BJP itself. According to him, “At a time when we in the Congress are discussing with the opposition alliance about finalizing the Chief Ministerial candidate, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma himself is now moving forward to seat Gaurav Gogoi in the Chief Minister’s chair. Due to the Chief Minister’s continuous remarks against Gaurav Gogoi, not only ordinary citizens but even BJP workers have become aggrieved and have decided to support the Congress.” Mentioning that Gaurav Gogoi has already given logical answers to all allegations related to Pakistan links, Hussain mocked the Chief Minister, saying, “Regarding the Pakistan link issue, Gaurav Gogoi has answered every question logically, with full clarity. Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, like an ostrich, believes that by burying his head in the desert sand, no one will see him.”
Going beyond personal attacks, Hussain also sharply criticized government policies. Condemning the closure of 8,000 educational institutions in the state and the opening of liquor shops in every locality, he made a special appeal to parents, urging them not to allow their children to watch the Chief Minister’s press conferences on television. Meanwhile, Congress staged a fiery protest on the streets of Nagaon today. Raising the slogan “Mami is not greater than the nation,” the demonstration was held in front of the Nagaon Town Block Congress office under the leadership of MP Rakibul Hussain, MLA Nurul Huda, and Utpal Baniya. Organized with care to ensure that examinees were not inconvenienced, the protest demanded an investigation into the Chief Minister’s family assets and issued a stern warning to the government.
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