Guwahati, Sep 29 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday intensified his attack on the Congress during campaigning for the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, highlighting his government’s recruitment drive and alleging that the political climate in the state had changed significantly under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said people were now questioning the Congress over why government jobs could not have been provided without monetary transactions during its tenure.
“Now people are asking that if during the time of Himanta Biswa Sarma, people are getting jobs without any money, then why did this not happen during the Congress regime?” he remarked.
Sarma also claimed that Congress leaders were facing unusual responses while campaigning in minority-dominated areas.
“People are chasing Congress leaders when they are going to the minority areas. This I have never seen,” the Chief Minister added.
His remarks came amid an intensified campaign for the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll, scheduled for October 6. The seat fell vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and joined the BJP.
The BJP-led alliance has fielded former bureaucrat Devashish Sharma, while Congress has nominated Sibamoni Bora. AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal is also contesting.
Sarma has been campaigning extensively for Sharma, addressing multiple public meetings across the constituency, including rallies in Raha and Samaguri.
The campaign has witnessed political friction. Congress leaders earlier alleged that their convoy was attacked while campaigning in Samaguri, while Sarma attributed the incident to internal differences within the Congress.
With polling approaching, employment, development, governance and political representation of different communities have emerged as key themes. Both major parties have intensified outreach across the Nagaon constituency.
–IANS
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