Guwahati, Jan 27: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of insulting the people of the Northeast by not wearing the traditional patka at a reception hosted by the President of India.
Taking to X, Sarma wrote that while times may change, “the attitude of the de facto supremo of the Congress party, Mr Rahul Gandhi, regrettably appears unchanged.” He alleged that Gandhi’s decision not to wear the patka—a symbol of the region’s cultural heritage “deeply insensitive and insulting” to the people of the entire Northeast.
“From the President and the Prime Minister to foreign dignitaries, everyone wore the patka with respect and pride. Mr Gandhi alone stood apart, reinforcing a perception of disregard towards the North East,” Sarma said.
He added that such conduct explains why Congress has lost the trust of the region and much of the country.
The Chief Minister further demanded an unconditional apology from Rahul Gandhi, stating, “The people of the region deserve respect.”
The exchange marks the latest episode in an ongoing war of words between Sarma and Gandhi over the past several months, with the Assam CM repeatedly criticising the Congress leader on various platforms.
As political temperatures rise ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, Congress leaders have pushed back against the BJP’s attack. Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi urged restraint, cautioning against turning cultural symbolism into partisan controversy.
“We should not get involved in politics like this,” Gogoi said, adding that people in the Northeast judge leaders by their actions during crises. “Whenever there is a problem in the Northeast, it is always Rahul Gandhi who is visible, not the Prime Minister,” he claimed.
Congress leader Pawan Khera also countered the BJP’s criticism by sharing a photograph of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh from the same event, questioning whether the Assam Chief Minister would similarly demand an apology from him for not wearing the traditional patka.
Khera further alleged that the controversy was being manufactured to divert attention from anti-incumbency issues by bringing non-issues into political flashpoints.
Responding to Sarma’s allegations, Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, accused the Chief Minister of spreading falsehoods. “Another false statement has been spread by our Chief Minister, Mr Himanta Biswa Sarma, who himself once said that as ‘Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma,’ he could tell a thousand lies. It is deeply unfortunate that we have such a Chief Minister,” Saikia said.Clarifying the controversy, Saikia stated that Rahul Gandhi had indeed worn the patka during the event. “In reality, Rahul Gandhi did wear the patka for some time yesterday, after which he carefully folded it and held it ini his hand. This is clearly visible and well documented across the media,” he said.
Saikia further pointed out what he called the BJP’s selective outrage, noting that Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was not seen wearing the patka or gamosa-like attire at the same event. “It is ironic that Mr Rajnath Singh, former BJP president and the current Defence Minister, has not been seen wearing the patka or gamosa that they now claim represents North-East culture. This fact is already in the public domain and widely reported by the media,” he added.
