Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika on Wednesday launched a sharp post-election offensive against the Indian National Congress (Congress), asserting that voters had decisively rejected Lok Sabha MP Gaurav Gogoi's alleged strategy of coming to power with the support of 'Miyas' — a term used in Assam to refer to Bengali-origin Muslims. The remarks came as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) swept the Assam Assembly elections, winning 82 out of 126 seats and comfortably crossing the majority mark, while Congress managed only 19 seats.

Hazarika's Attack on Gogoi and Congress

Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Hazarika alleged that Congress leaders had grown arrogant and lost touch with the Assamese electorate. "They (Congress leaders) are arrogant. They do not know what is in people's minds. Gaurav Gogoi wanted to come to power by keeping the 'Miyas' ahead; hence, the people of Assam rejected this. The public has rejected Gaurav Gogoi's plan," he said.

The Minister further alleged that Congress had effectively transformed into a "Muslim League" in the state, claiming it had grown "arrogant and disconnected" from ordinary Assamese voters — a disconnect he argued was central to the party's electoral collapse. He also took aim at Congress leaders who, according to him, had publicly questioned the standing of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, saying the people of Assam had responded strongly to such remarks.

The 'New Greater Assam' Slogan Controversy

Hazarika also criticised Congress's campaign slogan "New Greater Assam", alleging it created confusion rather than resonance among voters. "People wanted to know what that actually meant. Assam is already Assam. The public rejected this narrative and shattered the dreams of Congress," he claimed.

He further alleged that Congress's political survival in Assam depended overwhelmingly on minority votes, claiming that even Hindu Congress candidates won primarily because of Muslim voter support. "If you analyse the booths carefully, you will see that Congress candidates got overwhelming support from Muslim voters. Without those votes, Congress would not exist in Assam today," he said.

Himanta Biswa Sarma Set for Second Consecutive Term

Hazarika credited the landslide to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's governance and leadership, describing the mandate as "perhaps unprecedented in recent political history." He noted that the NDA alliance secured victory in 102 seats in total — a figure he called an unprecedented performance in Assam's electoral history.

"Himanta Biswa Sarma will definitely become the Chief Minister for a second term. We are all waiting for the formal process to be completed," Hazarika said, expressing gratitude to the people of Assam for the decisive mandate.

What Happens Next

With the BJP set to form the government in Assam for a third consecutive term, the party leadership is expected to convene a meeting of newly elected MLAs to formally elect the leader of the Legislature Party, after which the new government will be sworn in. Party workers and leaders celebrated across the state, describing the result as a public endorsement of the BJP government's development agenda. The outcome further consolidates BJP's dominance in the northeastern region and deals a significant blow to the Opposition.