Himanta calls Congress soft naxal
Introduction
In a scathing attack on his former party, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently accused the Congress of embracing a soft Naxal ideology and deviating from its Gandhian roots. Sarma, who had been associated with the Congress for 22 years, highlighted the shift in the party’s slogans and its left-leaning stance. Furthermore, he questioned Rahul Gandhi’s actions during his yatra and alleged the use of a body double. This article delves into Sarma’s critique of the Congress, the ongoing feud between him and Rahul Gandhi, and the implications of his statements.
Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was with the Congress for 22 years and the party was never so Left-leaning like what it has become now.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the soul of the Congress has been killed as the grand old party has become soft naxal — moving away from the Gandhian philosophy. “I was with the Congress for 22 years. Slogans have changed. Congress slogans used to be different, soft. Now they have become Left-leaning,” Himanta Biswa said as Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra entered West Bengal from after touring Assam. The Assam leg of the yatra was eventful because of the continuous exchange of barbs between Himanta and Rahul Gandhi, their enmity goes a long way.
An FIR was registered against Rahul Gandhi in Assam on the charge of instigating violence. Himanta on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi will be arrested after the Lok Sabha election. The case has already been transferred to the Assam CID for a thorough investigation.
Rahul Gandhi used body-double in yatra: Himanta
Citing a media report, Himanta said Rahul Gandhi sits inside a room created in the bus. “I have not seen but I have seen reports. Congress people told me that Rahul Gandhi generally sits inside the bus. Then who is sitting in the front who looks like Rahul Gandhi from far? This is another issue,” Himanta Biswa said.
“Rahul Gandhi came to Guwahati but did not go to visit Maa Kamakhya. You did not even stop at Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Khetra…BJP will win all constituencies where Rahul Gandhi travelled. Then what was the purpose of your yatra? Only to create communal tension? I suggested places where Rahul Gandhi could go. His team came to Kamakhya to do a recce but he did not come for a final visit,” Himanta said.
“His only intention was to create unrest during the pran pratishtha in Ayodhya. But the people of Assam did not let that happen,” the Assam chief minister said.
The Congress’s Shift in Ideology
During a recent event, Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his disappointment with the Congress’s ideological transformation. Having been associated with the party for over two decades, Sarma witnessed a significant change in slogans and policies. He claimed that the Congress, once known for its softer approach, had now adopted a more left-leaning stance, reminiscent of Naxalism. This shift in ideology, according to Sarma, has resulted in the dilution of the party’s Gandhian philosophy, thereby killing its soul.
Sarma’s Feud with Rahul Gandhi
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s criticism of the Congress, particularly Rahul Gandhi, has intensified their long-standing feud. Sarma accused Rahul Gandhi of instigating violence during his yatra, which led to an FIR being filed against the Congress leader. Sarma even suggested that Rahul Gandhi would be arrested after the Lok Sabha election. The Assam CID has taken over the investigation into the case. Additionally, Sarma raised questions about the authenticity of Rahul Gandhi’s presence during the yatra, alleging the use of a body double.
Allegations of Rahul Gandhi’s Body Double
Citing media reports and conversations with Congress members, Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that Rahul Gandhi often remained inside a room created in the bus during the yatra. Sarma questioned the identity of the person sitting in the front, who bore a resemblance to Rahul Gandhi from a distance. While Sarma admitted that he had not personally witnessed this, he raised doubts about the purpose and authenticity of Rahul Gandhi’s yatra. He also highlighted Rahul Gandhi’s failure to visit important cultural and religious sites in Assam, suggesting that the true intention of the yatra was to create communal tension.
Sarma’s Suggestions for Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra
In response to Rahul Gandhi’s yatra, Himanta Biswa Sarma offered suggestions for places the Congress leader could visit in Assam. He expressed disappointment that Rahul Gandhi did not visit Maa Kamakhya, a revered pilgrimage site, and Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Samadhi Khetra, a memorial dedicated to a prominent cultural figure. Sarma saw this as evidence that Rahul Gandhi’s sole intention was to disrupt the pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony in Ayodhya. However, Sarma acknowledged that the people of Assam thwarted these attempts, preventing any unrest.
The Impact of Sarma’s Critique
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s critique of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi has generated considerable attention. His remarks highlight the growing rift within the party and the challenges it faces in maintaining a coherent ideology. Sarma’s accusations of a shift towards soft Naxalism and Rahul Gandhi’s alleged use of a body double have created further controversy. The impact of these statements on the upcoming Lok Sabha election remains to be seen.
Conclusion
Himanta Biswa Sarma’s scathing critique of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi reflects the deepening divisions within the party. Sarma’s claims of a left-leaning ideology and Rahul Gandhi’s alleged use of a body double during his yatra have created a significant stir. As the political landscape evolves, it will be crucial to monitor how these criticisms impact the Congress’s future and the electoral dynamics in India. The ongoing feud between Sarma and Rahul Gandhi serves as a reminder of the complexities and power struggles within the country’s political sphere.