Guwahati, Jan 17: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Wednesday, that there is a notable lack of attendance in Congress meetings across communities, with ‘one specific community’ being the exception.
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Sarma noted that the Miya Muslim community is distancing itself from Congress meetings and is now showing a growing interest in the welfare schemes initiated by the ruling government and that various communities feel hesitant to attend Congress gatherings, because of lack of benefits.
According to Sarma, the Miya Muslim community, which had previously attended Congress meetings, is now disengaging from such events. He mentioned that this shift in participation is a result of the community already availing benefits like ration cards and Ayushman cards from the government.
Sarma stressed that the women in the community have realised they would not receive similar advantages from the Congress.
Sarma mentioned, “We explicitly state that we don’t seek votes from the Miya Muslim community. However, now they are refraining from Congress meetings because they (Miya Muslims) are benefitting from various welfare schemes. Muslim women attend our meetings and support us. Particularly, Miya Muslim women are gradually becoming our vote bank.”
Sarma said he has cancelled all his prefixed programmes in the state’s upper districts on January 18-19, in order to avoid a clash with events of Congress’ Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in those areas.
Himanta Biswa Sarma has now deferred his Majuli programme to avoid a clash with the Congress yatra and also has cancelled his Jorhat and Dergaon ration card distribution event.
