On Thursday, a delegation from the United Opposition Forum, Assam (UOFA) presented a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, calling for the dismissal of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The opposition parties accuse Sarma of failing to maintain law and order and of inciting communal tensions through inflammatory statements.
The delegation, led by Congress Lok Sabha MP Pardyut Bordoloi and UOFA General Secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi, delivered the memorandum through Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at the Raj Bhavan in Guwahati.
The document details allegations against Sarma over the past two years, including statements purportedly targeting the Muslim community and provoking communal unrest.
The opposition claims that Sarma has made several provocative remarks in the state assembly and beyond, exacerbating divisions between communities.
They allege that approximately a year ago, Sarma incited youths to expel religious minorities from Guwahati who were working in various low-income jobs, including as vegetable vendors and rickshaw pullers.
Further, the Gauhati High Court had recently reprimanded the state government for demolishing the homes of Muslim families in Batadrava, Nagaon district, and ordered compensation.
The opposition also accuses Sarma of attempting to stoke communal tensions following a rape incident in Dhing, Nagaon district, which allegedly led to attacks on minority communities by BJP supporters in Sivasagar.
On law and order, the opposition highlights a troubling rise in encounter deaths, as reported by a Centre’s report presented in Parliament. They criticise Sarma’s tenure for a surge in crimes, including rape, dacoities, and murders.
They point out that on Independence Day, ULFA(I) managed to plant bombs in several locations, with the police only becoming aware of the threat after the group disclosed it via email.
The UOFA also cites government records showing that between 2016 and 2023, there were 17,657 rape cases reported. In the past seven months alone, 580 new cases have been recorded, with 15 occurring in August.
Additionally, allegations of widespread corruption involving Sarma and his family have surfaced, with reports detailing illegal properties both domestically and abroad.
The opposition parties assert that Sarma has breached his oath of office, grossly violated the Constitution by creating communal discord, and failed to protect citizens' security and property.
They accuse him of rampant corruption, which they believe has reached unprecedented levels.
The memorandum was signed by prominent figures including state Congress President Bhupen Borah, leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia, Lok Sabha MP Rakibul Hussain, CPI(M)’s Isfaqur Rahman, and Raijor Dal’s Russel Dal, among others.
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