Assam CM Sarma mocks Congress over 'scared' jibe, invokes Rahul Gandhi's potato-to-gold remark
Synopsis
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma took Congress apart on X with a single question: what equipment do you use to measure fear? By invoking Rahul Gandhi's notorious potato-to-gold remark, Sarma turned a routine BJP-Congress spat into a viral moment — and a reminder that India's political battles are increasingly won or lost on social media timelines.
Key Takeaways
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma posted a sarcastic attack on Congress on X on 31 October .
Sarma mocked Congress's recurring claim that BJP leaders are 'scared,' asking which instrument the party uses to measure fear.
He invoked the 'potato-to-gold machine' — a reference to a past remark by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi frequently used in BJP attacks.
The post reflects the ongoing BJP-Congress war of words over political intimidation, agency conduct, and leadership credibility.
Sarma has made X a primary platform for countering Opposition criticism, regularly using sarcasm and historical political references.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, 31 October launched a sharp sarcastic attack on the Congress via social media platform X, mocking the party's recurring claim that its political opponents are 'scared' and demanding it explain how it measures fear. The post adds fresh fuel to the ongoing war of words between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress.
The Post That Sparked the Exchange
In his post on X, Chief Minister Sarma said that whenever Congress exhausts its arguments, it falls back on a single refrain. 'Whenever Congress runs out of logic and arguments, they come up with their favourite tweet — They are scared!' he wrote, deploying the kind of pointed sarcasm he has become known for on social media.
Sarma then posed a pointed rhetorical question to Congress leaders, asking which instrument they use to detect fear in political opponents. 'Which equipment do you use to measure fear? Is it the famous potato-to-gold machine or have you invented something new?' he asked, urging the party to share the technology so that others could determine 'who got scared and how much.'
The Potato-to-Gold Reference Explained
The 'potato-to-gold machine' is a reference frequently deployed by the BJP against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, recalling a remark that has become a staple of the ruling party's political attacks. The jibe has circulated widely in BJP's social media campaigns and public speeches, and Sarma's invocation of it signals a deliberate effort to revive that narrative in the current political climate.
The Broader Political Context
The exchange reflects a deepening pattern of social media-driven political combat between the two national parties. The Congress has repeatedly accused the BJP of using investigative agencies to intimidate opposition leaders — a charge the BJP has consistently dismissed. Sarma, in particular, has made X a primary arena for counter-punching the Opposition, regularly employing sarcasm and references to past political controversies to undercut Congress's messaging.
Notably, this is not an isolated skirmish — both parties have traded barbs over allegations of political intimidation, the conduct of their leaders, and the functioning of central agencies. Sarma's latest salvo comes amid continuing political sparring on all these fronts.
What This Signals
The frequency and tone of Sarma's social media engagements suggest a coordinated BJP strategy to keep Congress on the defensive ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. As the war of words intensifies, the battleground has increasingly shifted from press conferences to social media timelines — a trend that shows no sign of slowing.
Point of View
And its deployment here suggests the party sees value in keeping that narrative alive. What is worth noting is how thoroughly social media has replaced the press conference as the primary theatre of political combat: a single X post from a sitting Chief Minister now sets the news cycle. The Congress, by contrast, appears to be losing the social media initiative — its 'they are scared' framing, however tactically intended, hands opponents like Sarma an easy target. The deeper question is whether this kind of high-decibel digital sparring moves voters, or simply energises bases that were already committed.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma post on X about Congress?
Sarma posted a sarcastic message on X on 31 October mocking Congress's repeated claim that its political opponents are 'scared,' asking the party to explain which instrument it uses to measure fear. He also invoked the 'potato-to-gold machine' as a jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
What is the potato-to-gold machine reference?
The 'potato-to-gold machine' is a remark associated with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that the BJP has repeatedly used in political attacks against him. Sarma's invocation of it was a deliberate dig at Gandhi and the Congress leadership.
Why does Sarma frequently use X to attack Congress?
According to reports, Sarma has made X a primary platform for countering Opposition criticism, regularly using sarcasm and references to past political controversies. It reflects a broader BJP strategy of using social media to keep Congress on the defensive.
What is the broader BJP-Congress dispute about?
The two parties have been engaged in ongoing political sparring over allegations of political intimidation, the functioning of central investigative agencies, and the conduct of their respective leaders. Congress has accused BJP of targeting opposition figures; BJP has dismissed those charges and questioned Congress's political arguments.
What does this exchange signal ahead of upcoming elections?
The frequency and sharpness of Sarma's social media engagements suggest a coordinated effort by BJP to keep Congress on the defensive. Analysts note that the political battleground has increasingly shifted from traditional press conferences to social media platforms.
