Nagaon: Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today issued a strong warning to those who “show hostility toward the Assamese people” while campaigning for BJP candidate and MLA Rupak Sharma in the Nagaon–Batadrava Assembly constituency (Himanta Biswa Sarma Nagaon Campaign).
Addressing a campaign rally attended by nearly 20,000 people at Bhotai Deka playground in Bhotaigaon, he told journalists afterward,
“Now they no longer have the courage to speak against the Assamese people. No one will be able to threaten Assamese people anymore. I have already broken their ribs. Even senior Congress leaders involved in rhino killings will have to walk with their heads down in Nagaon. In these five years, I have weakened them; in the next five years, I will finish the task completely so that no one can threaten Assamese people again.”
Responding to opposition claims about building a “new Greater Assam,” the Chief Minister said:
“We want the Greater Assam of Chaolung Sukapha and Srimanta Sankardev. But under Congress leadership, the opposition wants to build a new Greater Assam with Bangladeshis.”
Replying to Gaurav Gogoi’s remark that he would not be welcomed back into Congress, Sarma said:
“Congress cannot form a government in India; it can form one only in Pakistan and Bangladesh. I have no intention of returning to Congress because my family has no links with Pakistan.”
Responding to Rajen Gohain’s statement that Sarma has limited political knowledge, he said:
“For so long Rajen Gohain has criticized me. This time the people of Barhampur will answer him. Earlier it was in the news; now it is before the people’s court. The people will decide whom they love more—me or Rajen Gohain.”
Reacting to Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi’s comments regarding justice for Zubeen Garg, Sarma said:
“Does Lurinjyoti Gogoi sit in court? Is he trying for the High Court or for an MLA seat? The opposition has only one agenda—that Lurinjyoti Gogoi should get married.”
Addressing the massive rally, Sarma announced that if the BJP returns to power, encroachers would be evicted from 5 lakh bighas of land over the next five years.
He said: “In the last five years, we removed encroachers from satras and temple lands and protected their sanctity. We cleared encroachers from 1.5 lakh bighas of land and protected Assamese identity. We stand with the poor, but those who encroach upon satra and temple lands should understand that those days are over. This is not a Congress government; this is a BJP government—the people’s government. In the next five years, we will evict encroachers from 5 lakh bighas of land. Whether Hindu, Muslim, or Christian—poor people from all communities are with the BJP, and we have helped everyone.”
He further added: “No one believed that we would carry out eviction in Batadrava and develop such a major heritage site. Now thousands of visitors are able to visit the heritage complex. We had promised to stand with the people and protect Assam.”
Speaking about government schemes, Sarma said:
“Five years ago, I promised to provide jobs to 1 lakh youth without taking a single rupee. Many believed me; many did not. People thought that in a state where even midday meal jobs were given in exchange for money, how could 1 lakh youths get jobs without payment? But by God’s grace, we delivered. Now our youth are running in stadiums, preparing for ADRE and appearing in TET exams. We must support their aspirations; otherwise, they will become discouraged. From Nagaon, we promise again that if we return to power, we will provide jobs to 2 lakh youths.”
Criticizing the opposition, he said: “I do not want to criticize the opposition. Their condition is like the Rs. 100 note before demonetization—there is no value in talking about them or listening to them.”
Expressing confidence in BJP’s victory, he added: “During the Jan Ashirwad Yatra, we witnessed people’s support from Dhubri to Sadiya and from Jonai to Silchar. We are confident that the people will vote for BJP again and the BJP-led alliance with AGP and BPF will form the government in Assam.”
Highlighting development in Nagaon, he praised BJP candidate Rupak Sharma, saying:
“Today Nagaon has Bhupen Hazarika Kalateertha, Abirbhav Kshetra, Shraddhanjali Udyan, and a park built in memory of Zubeen Garg. Roads have improved significantly. The previous Congress government could not achieve this level of development. The work done during Rupak Sharma’s tenure surpasses that of the earlier Congress government. Therefore, people should bless him again with victory.”
He also announced the construction of a six-lane express highway between Nagaon and Guwahati, stating: “Within the next five years, a six-lane express highway will be built so that Guwahati can be reached from Nagaon in just one and a half hours. Industries will be developed in Nagaon, and flyovers will be constructed as needed.”
Among those present at the rally were BJP candidate and MLA Rupak Sharma, Subarna Singh, Abhijit Nath, and Monimadhab Mahanta.