Guwahati, Apr 7: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of making “baseless” allegations of corruption against him and his government ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma questioned Gandhi’s repeated claims that he would be jailed if the Congress came to power. “For the last two years, Rahul Gandhi has been coming to Assam and saying he will put me in jail. But on what grounds? If you make allegations, you must prove them. Have you filed any FIR or PIL against me?” Sarma said.
He further alleged that Gandhi was “belittling himself” in the eyes of the public by making such statements. “Rahul Gandhi is an outsider in Assam. If someone from Assam says something, it is different. But when he comes from outside and makes such remarks, it does not carry weight,” Sarma said, adding that the Congress leader himself faced allegations. “His hands are not clean,” he remarked.
Sarma also claimed that Gandhi’s attacks were politically counterproductive. “Whenever he says he will put me in jail, it generates sympathy for me, especially among people who are not politically active. I welcome him to come again and again—this will only help us gain an additional five to six per cent votes,” he said.
Highlighting his campaign style, the chief minister said he had consciously shifted to a more informal and people-centric approach over the years. “Earlier, I used to speak formally. But after COVID, I began connecting with people more personally—asking them to sing, dance and focus on positivity. It created a festive environment and helped build instant connection,” he said.
Expressing confidence about the election outcome, Sarma said the BJP would secure a “historic mandate”. “I believe we will win between 90 and 102 seats, though I am more inclined towards 90–95,” he said.
On governance, Sarma asserted that his government had maintained a clean record. We have ensured transparent recruitment and delivered employment without any doubt. This is one of the cleanest governments in the country,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had encouraged people to study Assam’s recruitment model.
He also emphasised that development in India must align with its civilisational ethos. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi, Sarma said, “Our development model cannot blindly follow the West. It must be rooted in our culture and values. If we lose our civilisational identity, we lose the soul of India.”
