Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday, 22 May 2026 invoked a well-known maxim attributed to beloved Assamese singer Zubeen Garg — 'Politics Nokoriba Bondhu' ('Do not do politics, friend') — to reaffirm his administration's stated commitment to principled, non-partisan governance.

Context

The Chief Minister's post quoted the phrase 'Politics Nokoriba Bondhu', crediting it to Zubeen Garg, one of Assam's most celebrated cultural icons. Sarma added: 'We have been consistent on this maxim,' signalling that the sentiment is not a fresh declaration but a long-held governing philosophy. The post carried a video attachment, underscoring the personal and cultural weight he sought to lend to the message.

Zubeen Garg is widely recognised across the North-East for his music as well as for public remarks urging that art and public life be kept free of narrow partisan agendas. Invoking his name carries significant resonance in Assam, where cultural figures command broad cross-community respect.

Policy Backdrop

Since assuming office in May 2021, Himanta Biswa Sarma has repeatedly stressed development-focused governance and positioned his administration as one that prioritises delivery over political point-scoring. The invocation of 'Politics Nokoriba Bondhu' fits within that broader self-presentation.

As convenor of the North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), Sarma operates across a region where coalition-building depends on projecting a governance identity that transcends routine partisan competition. Blending administrative messaging with culturally resonant references has been a recurring feature of political communication in the North-East.

Stakeholders and Impact

The message is directed, at least symbolically, at Assamese artists, civil society, and the broader electorate who hold cultural figures like Zubeen Garg in high regard. By aligning his administration with Garg's apolitical ethos, Sarma seeks to reinforce a narrative of governance that rises above factional conflict.

For opposition parties and political observers in Assam, the statement is likely to prompt scrutiny of whether the administration's record matches the rhetoric. Cultural organisations in the state may also respond to the use of Garg's words in a political context.

What's Next

Reactions from Assamese cultural organisations and public figures will be worth watching in the coming days. Any follow-up remarks by the Chief Minister — particularly during upcoming assembly sessions or state festivals — could clarify whether this post signals a specific policy stance or serves as a broader reaffirmation of his governance brand ahead of the political calendar.

The consistency with which Sarma returns to this theme suggests it will remain a defining motif of his public communication through the remainder of his term.