Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ignited a political uproar by stating that his government holds “no enmity” against Miya Muslims provided they meet specific conditions, a remark that comes just before the upcoming elections. Sarma emphasized that there are no issues with individuals who demonstrate respect and loyalty to the nation, outlining six conditions necessary for peaceful coexistence. These conditions include chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” singing the full version of “Vande Mataram,” and refraining from practices deemed problematic by the government, such as “love jihad,” “land jihad,” “fertilizer jihad,” illegal land encroachment, child marriage, and polygamy.
Despite his claim that the opposition is not aimed at any community but rather at specific practices, Sarma’s historically negative rhetoric against the Miya Muslims, whom he previously labeled as “outsiders,” has made his sudden shift to a conciliatory stance particularly noteworthy in Assam’s political landscape. Observers suggest that this change is strategic, reflecting heightened political competition as the Assembly elections approach, as the ruling party seems to be seeking wider electoral support.
The political atmosphere further escalated after three legislators from the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) supported the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the forthcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The MLAs—Karim Uddin Barbhuiya, Nizam Uddin Choudhury, and Zakir Hussain Laskar—endorsed NDA candidate Pramod Boro, which has triggered accusations from opposition factions asserting a covert alliance between the BJP and AIUDF, despite their portrayal as rivals. The BJP has consistently criticized AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal, warning against the potential for his ascendancy to chief ministerial office without sufficient voter support for the BJP.
Congress leaders have accused some AIUDF members of acting as “agents” of the ruling party, with similar allegations surfacing during previous elections. Amidst these developments, Sarma has suggested that the three MLAs who backed the NDA might soon defect to the Asom Gana Parishad, an ally of the BJP.
AIUDF leadership has asserted that the trio had already been suspended from the party and that any forthcoming political moves would be at their discretion. Concurrently, other NDA candidates also filed their nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections, heightening the political dialogue in Assam where critics cast doubt on whether Sarma’s changing rhetoric aligns with genuine intentions or electoral strategies as the state gears up for renewed political contests.
