Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma retained the Jalukbari seat by a margin of 89,434 votes, signalling his continued political dominance even as his tenure remains marked by both strong support and sustained criticism.
Sarma, who joined the BJP in 2015 after leaving the Congress, is widely credited with expanding the party’s footprint in Assam and across the Northeast. His rise to the chief minister’s post in 2021 followed years of organisational groundwork and strategic positioning within the party.
In office, the 57-year-old leader has focused on infrastructure, welfare schemes and protection of indigenous land rights. He has also emerged as a key BJP campaigner, playing a central role in shaping the party’s electoral strategy in the region.
However, his tenure has been marked by controversial measures and rhetoric, particularly targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims of Bangladeshi origin, often referred to as ‘Miyas’ in the state. Eviction drives, action against child marriage, moves against polygamy, enforcement of the Cattle Protection Act and the closure or conversion of government-run madrasas have drawn criticism from opposition parties, which accuse him of deepening social divisions.
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His remarks during campaigns have also sparked nationwide debate. A statement about “breaking the backbone of the Miyas” and comments on wages invited sharp reactions from political opponents.
Sarma has remained defiant amid controversies, including a row triggered by allegations made by Congress leader Pawan Khera against his wife, which even found mention in a Supreme Court order granting relief to Khera. The Congress has also raised corruption allegations, which Sarma has denied.
His political career reflects both resilience and adaptability. After losing his first election in 1996, Sarma has represented Jalukbari continuously since 2001 and served as a minister in successive governments. Mentored by former chief ministers Hiteswar Saikia and Tarun Gogoi, he rose within the Congress before switching sides.
As convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance, he has played a key role in consolidating the NDA’s presence across the region.
A polarising yet influential figure, Sarma remains central to Assam’s political landscape.
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