Assam CM Claims Congress Targets Bangladeshi-Origin Muslim Voters in Electoral Strategy
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Guwahati, March 3 (NationPress) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted on Tuesday that the Congress party has tailored its electoral strategy to focus on Assembly constituencies that are primarily composed of what he refers to as “Bangladeshi-origin Muslims” in the lead-up to the forthcoming state elections.
During a press conference, Sarma pointed out that the seats contested by Congress as part of their alliances predominantly feature a high concentration of Muslims whom he claims have Bangladeshi origins. He emphasized that this strategy highlights the party's political priorities and diverges from the interests of Assam’s indigenous communities.
“The citizens of Assam should pay close attention to the constituencies Congress is targeting through its alliances. A majority of these areas are populated by individuals of Bangladeshi-origin Muslim backgrounds. It is clear that Congress is not aligning itself with the indigenous populace of the state,” Sarma stated, noting that this trend has become increasingly apparent as the Assembly elections approach.
Sarma also referenced the political rivalry between Congress and the regional party Raijor Dal, led by activist-turned-politician Akhil Gogoi. He claimed that this competition is similarly confined to constituencies with similar demographic compositions, further solidifying his assertion regarding Congress's electoral strategy.
“I have consistently argued that Congress does not represent Assam or its indigenous communities. If the electoral contest were over constituencies like Jorhat or Dibrugarh, it would send a different message. Instead, Congress has effectively surrendered its political integrity to the votes of Bangladeshi-origin Muslims and is basing its political agenda on these constituencies,” Sarma contended.
His comments arise amid an escalation in political discourse within the state as various parties ramp up their preparations for the Assembly elections.
Topics concerning identity, migration, citizenship, and safeguarding indigenous rights are anticipated to take center stage in the upcoming electoral discussions.
The Congress party has yet to provide an immediate response to Sarma’s allegations.
Political analysts suggest that the weeks ahead will likely see more intense exchanges between the competing parties as campaigning heats up across the state.