Guwahati, Jan 16 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, vehemently criticized the Congress party and its state president, Gaurav Gogoi, on Friday. He accused them of undermining Assam’s interests and cultural identity by catering to what he referred to as a “specific community” for their own political advantage.

During a public address via Facebook Live, Sarma claimed that such political maneuvers were detrimental to the welfare and cultural integrity of the state. He indicated that revelations concerning an Assam MP's alleged covert connections with Pakistan, along with a “special affection” towards a particular community, would be disclosed by the end of the month.

Although the Chief Minister did not mention Gogoi directly, the BJP has consistently accused the Congress MP from Jorhat, who also serves as the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, of having ties with the neighboring nation.

“The Congress has opted to bow down to a specific community. If it were for the sake of social harmony, it would be different. Yet, they are doing so at the expense of our homeland and the identity of our people,” Sarma stated, asserting that such politics could not be tolerated.

He cautioned that what he termed a “special affection for a particular community” and alleged “secret contacts with Pakistan” presented significant threats to Assam. “Our identity is at risk. We are striving to safeguard it, but vested interests are attempting to undermine us. Only unity will lead us to triumph in this struggle for identity,” he remarked.

Sarma also mentioned the controversy surrounding statements made by Rejaul Karim Sarkar, the former president of the All Assam Minority Students’ Union (AAMSU), during his induction into the Congress on January 11, in Gogoi’s presence. Sarkar resigned from the party on January 14.

The Chief Minister noted that objections arose following Sarkar's contentious comments proposing the transformation of Sivasagar into Dhubri and vice versa. He emphasized that both regions possess unique demographic, cultural, and historical identities that cannot be altered.

Describing Sivasagar as the cultural and historical heart of Assam, Sarma underscored its significance as the first capital of the Ahom dynasty, the birthplace of Assam’s first newspaper, Orunudoi, and home to heritage sites like Charaideo Maidam and the Shivadol.

He alleged that Gogoi did not take action to disassociate the party from Sarkar’s statements, raising questions about the accountability of the Congress leadership. The Chief Minister also accused Gogoi of remaining silent regarding other contentious demands made by party leaders, including calls for religion-based reservations, asserting that such inaction reflected weak leadership and a compromise of principles.