Assam Political Clash: Himanta Biswa Sarma Government Blocks Congress Yatra
In a tense episode in Guwahati, around 5,000 Congress workers sought entry for the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, facing opposition from the Himanta Biswa Sarma government.
The state administration, citing potential traffic disruptions on a working day, directed the rally onto National Highway 27 instead of key city roads. Amid the stand-off, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the Congress workers’ strength and commitment to upholding the law, condemning the suppression faced by the people of Assam. The Congress-BJP spat escalated, with allegations of hurdles created by the Assam government against the yatra.
Rahul Gandhi, addressing the crowd, declared that Congress workers aren’t intimidated by the BJP-RSS and pledged to defeat them in Assam. Despite obstacles, he expressed love for the people and the intent to confront corruption, singling out Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The Congress workers alleged unjust denial of city entry by the state administration, intensifying the ongoing dispute between the Congress and the BJP government in Assam.
In response, Chief Minister Sarma deemed Assam peaceful and accused Rahul Gandhi of resorting to “naxalite tactics.” He instructed the DGP, Assam Police, to file a case against Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd and causing a massive traffic jam. Sarma criticized the unruly behavior and violation of agreed-upon guidelines, emphasizing the peaceful culture of Assam.
The face-off near Guwahati city limits followed a previous incident where Rahul Gandhi was barred from visiting the shrine of a 15th-century social reformer. Chief Minister Sarma urged him not to visit before the Ram Mandir ‘pran pratistha’ ceremony in Ayodhya concludes.
Dramatic scenes unfolded as Gandhi’s plan to visit the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva faced opposition, leading to a dharna at the roadblock. Despite being stopped, party MP Gaurav Gogoi and MLA Sibamoni Bora proceeded to the shrine and offered prayers.
In Meghalaya, Rahul Gandhi’s yatra also encountered roadblocks, with a canceled student interaction at a university. Gandhi alleged that Union Home Minister’s instructions led to the cancellation. He later addressed students near the Assam-Meghalaya border. The Congress accused the shrine’s managing committee of changing its stance on Gandhi’s visit.
These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture.
I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your… https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sharma’s extreme measures to halt Shri @RahulGandhi‘s Yatra reveal his fear.
Attacks on Yatris, threats, an FIR, and blocking temple visits show his desperation to please higher-ups. Over 50,000 Yatris, including Rahul Gandhi, were stopped at Guwahati’s… pic.twitter.com/AhceqjKI1w
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 23, 2024
