Daijiworld Media Network - Guwahati

Guwahati, Jul 17: A fiery political showdown has erupted in Assam, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hitting back at Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi over his recent corruption allegations and “land stealing” remarks.

During his recent visit to the state, Rahul Gandhi had accused Sarma of large-scale corruption and claimed the people of Assam wanted to see the Chief Minister behind bars. Gandhi said Sarma “steals land 24 hours a day” and behaves like a “raja,” but is “gripped with fear.”

Not one to hold back, CM Sarma responded sharply during a press interaction in Guwahati on Thursday.

“Rahul Gandhi wants to send me to jail. But he himself is out on bail in several cases. Before he dreams of imprisoning me, he might have to face jail time himself,” Sarma said, adding, “Frankly, his words have only increased my political stature.”

Sarma emphasized that his government has delivered on promises, including providing 1 lakh jobs in Assam, and that the people can judge his work for themselves.

Taking to social media platform X, Sarma added,

“I must say, I am grateful. Today, Rahul Gandhi has elevated my stature more than I could’ve imagined if I had remained in the Congress. He mentioned me in nearly every speech.”

The Chief Minister, who switched from the Congress to the BJP in 2015, used the opportunity to take a jab at his former party and its leadership.

“If Rahul Gandhi is criticising me so frequently, it only means I’m doing something right for Assam.”

In a particularly stinging post on X, Sarma accused Gandhi of being out on bail in a case involving alleged corruption of over Rs 5,000 crore in the National Herald case.

“You will be remembered as one of the most corrupt Congress presidents in India. I don’t care what you say — the country knows your record,” Sarma wrote.

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Chaygaon, about 40 km from Guwahati, were equally scathing. Addressing Congress workers, he accused CM Sarma of corruption, land-grabbing, and intimidation, claiming the youth, farmers, and daily wage workers of Assam were eager to see him jailed.

“But look closely — his face on television shows fear. He knows the people of Assam and Congress workers will hold him accountable,” Gandhi declared.

As the political heat intensifies, the exchange signals that Assam will remain a key battleground in the run-up to national elections, with both leaders digging in for a prolonged war of words.