Guwahati, Apr 3: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the BJP is likely to win “9 to 11 seats” in the Barak Valley region in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma expressed confidence about Hailakandi, stating that the BJP is “100 per cent sure” of winning the constituency. On Algapur, he said there is considerable “hype” among the public but maintained that the final results would reflect the party’s on-ground performance.
Targeting the Opposition, Sarma questioned the intensity of their campaign, referring to leaders such as Gaurav Gogoi and asking how many public meetings they had conducted. He said the BJP avoids “hyping” and instead focuses on holding more meetings and directly engaging with voters.
On the issue of cow protection, Sarma said, “The cow is sacred for us. If someone publicly consumes cow meat in a way that hurts the sentiments of others, it is a crime. Assam has a Cattle Preservation Act, and violators can face jail.”
He added that remarks made on social media questioning restrictions on cow consumption have drawn strong objections, as “religious beliefs and cultural values are associated with the cow.”
Referring to a recent social media post, Sarma said objections have been raised over the public display of beef consumption and urged people to follow the law. He also appealed to the public to lodge FIRs in cases where the law is allegedly violated, stating that the Act provides for up to three years of imprisonment.
