Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has emerged as a key figure in both state and national politics this year, asserting his influence by championing the BJP's Hindutva agenda and maintaining an unwavering stance against the Congress.
Sarma’s governance has been characterised by controversial decisions, including the prohibition of public beef consumption, intensified action against child marriages, and legal amendments to align with the BJP’s ideological objectives.
While these measures have drawn praise from his supporters, critics accuse him of curbing individual freedoms and fostering division.
The Chief Minister’s hostility towards Congress leader Rahul Gandhi became apparent during Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam.
State authorities denied Gandhi permission to visit Srimanta Sankardeva’s birthplace at Batadrava and restricted his entry into Guwahati, sparking clashes between Congress workers and police.
Sarma escalated tensions further by alleging that Gandhi used a "body double" during the yatra, though no evidence was presented to substantiate the claim.
A notable policy under Sarma’s tenure was the amendment of laws to ban the public consumption of beef, a move defended by the BJP as a gesture of respect for religious sentiments and cattle preservation. Opposition parties dismissed it as a polarising tactic.
Additionally, the repeal of the Assam Moslem Marriages and Divorces Registration Act of 1935 brought Muslim marriages under a standardised framework aimed at curbing child marriage.
The state’s crackdown on child marriages, the third in two years, led to 431 arrests and 345 cases in December alone, which officials credit for reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
Sarma’s political strategies bore fruit in electoral battles, with the BJP and its allies securing 11 of Assam’s 14 Lok Sabha seats. The Congress managed to win two constituencies, but the BJP made significant gains in by-polls, notably capturing the Samaguri seat, a Congress stronghold for over 25 years.
The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), implemented in March, appeared to have minimal impact, with just one individual from Bangladesh granted citizenship under the Act.
Simultaneously, the Centre moved to unlock biometrics for over nine lakh Assam residents affected by the NRC process, enabling their Aadhaar enrolment. The state government linked Aadhaar issuance to NRC verification, ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria.
Sarma also prioritised stability in the region, signing a tripartite peace accord with the pro-talks faction of ULFA. However, efforts to initiate dialogue with ULFA (Independent), led by Paresh Barua, have yet to yield results.
Despite a decline in insurgency-related violence, sporadic militant activities and arrests point to ongoing security challenges.
Developments in neighbouring Bangladesh added to Assam’s security concerns. Alleged atrocities against minorities following the political upheaval in Bangladesh prompted heightened vigilance along Assam’s 263-km border.
Economically, Sarma’s visit to Bhutan opened new avenues for trade and cooperation. Nonetheless, the state faced persistent challenges, including devastating annual floods that affected over 50 lakh people, caused extensive damage, and disrupted livelihoods.
Assam was also rocked by a high-profile online trading scam, leaving investors defrauded and authorities scrambling to investigate.
As Sarma took on broader responsibilities, campaigning for the BJP in key states like Rajasthan, Odisha, and Karnataka, he ensured that Assam remained central to the BJP’s national narrative while solidifying his political legacy as a leader synonymous with Hindutva-driven governance and electoral successes.
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