Chaygaon, Assam, July 16, 2025 — In a fiery address during his visit to Chaygaon, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of corruption and predicting his eventual imprisonment. The remarks, delivered at a party workers’ meeting, have sparked a sharp political exchange ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Gandhi alleged that Sarma behaves “like a king” rather than an elected representative, claiming the CM spends his time “handing over Assam’s land and wealth to corporate giants like Ambani and Adani.” He told the crowd, “Watch his face on TV—behind the loud speeches, you’ll see fear. He knows Congress’ tigers will send him to jail. Neither Modi nor Shah will be able to save him”.
The Congress leader also reiterated his claims in a closed-door meeting with the Assam Congress Political Affairs Committee, reportedly stating, “Take it in writing, Himanta Biswa Sarma will definitely be sent to jail”.
Reacting swiftly, CM Sarma took to social media to counter the allegations, pointing out Gandhi’s own legal troubles. “He came all the way to Assam just to say this, conveniently forgetting that he himself is out on bail in multiple criminal cases,” Sarma posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Gandhi’s speech also touched on broader ideological themes, contrasting the Congress’s “unity and truth” with what he described as the BJP’s “division and fear.” He accused the BJP and Election Commission of manipulating voter rolls, referencing alleged fraud in Maharashtra and warning of similar tactics in Bihar and Assam.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who accompanied Gandhi on the visit, echoed the criticism, accusing the BJP of looting and calling for modernization of Assam’s jails, which he claimed would soon house corrupt leaders.
The visit marked the first by Congress’s central leadership since Gaurav Gogoi took charge as Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president. Both Gandhi and Kharge met tribal representatives and displaced families, reinforcing the party’s grassroots outreach.
With Assembly elections looming, the escalating rhetoric signals a high-stakes battle in Assam, where corruption, ideology, and electoral integrity are set to dominate the campaign narrative.
