Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday branded Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as "the most corrupt CM in India," accusing him of partnering with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to operate a "land ATM" in the state.
Speaking at an election rally in Bokajan ahead of the Assembly polls, Gandhi alleged that land is being seized from ordinary citizens and handed to major corporations. He claimed 98,400 bighas have already been allocated to a handful of big businesses, sidelining local communities.
Campaigning for Congress candidate Raton Engti, the Lok Sabha Opposition Leader slammed the BJP's centralized governance model. He pledged that a Congress government would decentralize power, empowering tribal areas like Karbi Anglong via Article 244(A) and stronger Sixth Schedule protections.
Gandhi invoked the late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg as a symbol of the state's plural identity, vowing justice in his death within 100 days of forming a government. "This election in Assam is between the vision of Zubeen Garg and Himanta Biswa Sarma. On one side, love, unity, brotherhood, respect; on the other side—hate, violence, corruption and arrogance," he declared. Gandhi warned that Sarma would face action if Congress wins.
On the economy, he attacked the India-US trade deal under President Donald Trump, saying it favors America and threatens Indian farmers, small businesses, and traders by flooding markets with US goods.
Gandhi outlined five Congress guarantees: direct aid for women, small business support, ₹25 lakh family health insurance, monthly senior citizen pensions, and land rights for indigenous groups.
Polling for Assam's 126 seats begins April 9, with results on May 4, 2026. Sarma, CM since 2021, faces criticism from observers and rights groups for Islamophobic rhetoric and policies targeting Bengali-origin Muslims, often labeled discriminatory or hateful.