In an intense political exchange, Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has openly challenged the Congress party to submit a written demand if they want beef banned in the state. This challenge comes after Congress leader Rakibul Hussain accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of distributing beef during the Samaguri by-election to secure votes.
During a public address, Sarma stated that if Congress provides a written request to ban beef in Assam, he would be more than willing to implement it. Furthermore, he provocatively added that he would even campaign for Congress in the 2026 Assembly elections if they sincerely made such a demand. Sarma’s statement highlights the ongoing debates over beef consumption in Assam, a sensitive topic that often stirs political and religious tensions.
The Congress party’s Rakibul Hussain alleged that the BJP won the Samaguri by-election through unethical means, including the distribution of beef. Hussain, who had served as a minister in Assam’s previous Congress government, claimed that his son lost the by-election to the BJP because of such tactics.
In response to these accusations, Sarma questioned whether Congress had been winning the Samaguri seat in previous years through similar means, hinting at potential double standards. He ridiculed the notion that elections could be won by distributing beef, especially in a region like Samaguri, and reaffirmed that the BJP’s victory was legitimate.
Sarma’s remarks are part of a larger political narrative in Assam, where the issue of beef consumption often comes up in discussions about religious identity and cultural practices. Whether Congress will rise to the challenge and submit a written request remains to be seen, but the statement certainly adds fuel to the ongoing political battle between the two parties.
Political Journey of Himanta Biswa Sarma
In 1985, he joined the prestigious Cotton College for his undergraduate education. During his college days, he was elected as the general secretary of the students union.
Following this, he obtained his Master degree from Gauhati University in political science, after which he did his Bachelor in Law from the Government Law College, Guwahati, and became a solicitor in 1995.
After practicing law for sometime, Sarma completed a Doctorate of Philosophy in political science from Gauhati University.
During this phase, he married his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, who is known as one of Assam’s leading entrepreneurs today. The couple went on to have a son, Nandil, and a daughter, Sukanya.
Political Career
In Sarma’s case, his brush with politics happened rather early while he was still a schoolboy. During the heydays of the Assam Movement, he worked as an errand boy for then AASU leaders Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Bhrigu Kumar Phukan.
During his student days, he was spotted by former Chief Minister Late Hiteshwar Saikia and taken under his wings. This began Sarma’s long association with the Congress party.
Interestingly, it was from AGP’s Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, whom he had known as a schoolboy, that he wrested the Jalukbari seat in the 2001 elections and began his political career as a legislator.
Sarma’s political skills and immense dynamism among the general masses impressed then Chief Minister Late Tarun Gogoi a lot and the debutante MLA was made a minister of state. His first portfolio was for agriculture, planning and development, with additional responsibilities being given to him later.
