GUWAHATI — Intensifying the political heat ahead of the Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a massive crackdown on land encroachment, promising to clear 5 lakh bighas of land if the BJP returns to power.
During a campaign stop in Barpeta, the Chief Minister outlined a “bulldozer” policy aimed at reclaiming land from influential encroachers to redistribute it to the poor. Sarma estimated that nearly 50 lakh bighas are currently under illegal occupation across the state.
Ideological Attack on Congress
Sarma launched a sharp critique of the Congress party’s vision for “Bor Axom” (Greater Assam), targeting Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi.
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Cultural Identity: The CM alleged that Gogoi’s vision for Assam excludes regional icons like Srimanta Sankardev and Madhavdev while including Azan Fakir.
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Demographic Allegations: Sarma claimed that the opposition’s plan for a “Greater Assam” aims to incorporate people of Bangladesh origin, referring to them as “Miya” people.
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Political Standing: He asserted that the Congress is “almost dead” in the state, positioning the BJP as the sole protector of indigenous interests.
Sarcastic Jibes and Local Confidence
The Chief Minister did not hold back on personal attacks against other opposition leaders while expressing supreme confidence in his own constituency.
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Lurinjyoti Gogoi: Sarma took a sarcastic jibe at the Asom Jatiya Parishad (AJP) leader, mocking his political intent by suggesting his primary motivation for becoming an MLA was to improve his marriage prospects.
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Jalukbari Re-election: Seeking re-election from his stronghold, Sarma claimed he does not even know his opponent’s name. He predicted his vote share would rise from 74% in the last election to nearly 85-90% this time.
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The 31-Point Manifesto: The CM revealed that the BJP’s upcoming manifesto will feature 31 key promises, with the top five already being highlighted during his campaign trail.
Strategic Context
By framing the election as a battle over land and cultural identity, Sarma is doubling down on the “insider vs. outsider” narrative. The promise of large-scale evictions signals that the government intends to continue its aggressive stance on land reforms and demographic shifts, which has been a cornerstone of his administration’s policy.
