Only Muslim MLAs will remain in Congress in Assam ahead of 2026 assembly polls: CM Himanta
Guwahati, Feb 27: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday remarked that by the time 2026 assembly election arrives, only a few Muslim MLAs will remain in the Congress.
Congress MLAs such as Rakibul Hussain, Rekibuddin Ahmed, Jakir Hussain Sikdar, Nurul Huda and a few more will remain in the party, Sarma told reporters at the sidelines of a programme at Gohpur in Bishwanath district.
Asked whether Congress leader Rana Goswami, who resigned as its working president recently, is joining the BJP, the CM said he has no information about it. "He is a powerful leader of the Congress and if he joins the BJP, I will welcome it", he said.
A politician, however, has to consider many aspects before taking a decision, Sarma added.
Echoing the chief minister, the state Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika said, "Except the names I mentioned, all other Congress leaders and MLAs are in touch with us".
Earlier in the day, Assam Pradesh Congress Chief Bhupen Borah had claimed that the Sarma was afraid of him as is evident from his "acrimonious behaviour towards me and family".
Bora alleged that his brother and sister-in-law, both government employees, have been transferred to two opposite corners of the state.
The PCC chief further said he had asked for increased security after he was assaulted during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in January, but he has not been provided additional security yet.
The Congress state president also alleged that those who 'physically attacked me during the #BharatJodoNyayYatra are being allowed to roam free'.'In a state where writing a poem of dissent, or a scathing tweet, can get you arrested, just imagine an assailant walking about freely, without a care in the world!', he posted on 'X'.
'Acrimony is a sign of fear! I am certain that if there is one person in Assam that @HimantaBiswa truly fears, it is me. Why? Because his acrimonious behaviour towards me and my family betrays his innermost fears. HBS doesn't like followers, he likes slaves', he said.
The Congress leader asserted that the CM 'can buy a few MLAs here and there, but he cannot buy me'.
'Just see his acrimonious behaviour towards me and my family: He transferred out my brother and sister-in-law, both government servants, to two opposite corners of Assam. Therefore, it is safe to say: fear, thy name is Himanta!', he added.
Reacting to Borah's allegation, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika said that government employees must serve in any corner of the state and he cannot concern himself with the Congress leader's sense of entitlement.
'Just because they happen to be relatives of some big Congress leader, doesn't mean they will get special treatment', he added.
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Child rape-murder: Hundreds protest on Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune; traffic hit
Pune (PTI): Hundreds of people blocked the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway in Pune to protest the rape and murder of a four-year-old girl, leading to traffic disruption on the busy route for about four hours.
The girl's family members and other demonstrators placed the body on the road in the Navale Bridge area on Saturday evening and demanded stringent punishment for the 65-year-old man arrested in the case.
Several videos surfaced showing a huge traffic jam on the highway.
Later, the victim's last rites were performed at the Vaikunt crematorium here shortly after midnight amid tight police security.
The accused man, who works as a labourer and has a criminal record, allegedly lured the girl with the promise of food on Friday in the Bhor tehsil of Pune district. He then took her to a cattle enclosure where he allegedly sexually assaulted her and later killed her by hitting her with a stone, according to the police.
He was arrested based on CCTV footage from a private residence, which captured him with the child.
A case was registered against him under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and he has been remanded in police custody till May 7.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Saturday met the family of the victim, assuring them of strict action against the accused and a fast-track trial.
Describing the incident as "shocking" and a "blot on humanity", Pawar said the government stands firmly with the victim's family and will ensure justice.
She also spoke to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and sought a fast-track court trial so that the accused receives the harshest punishment.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde directed Pune rural police to gather concrete evidence to build a watertight case and conduct the trial in a fast-track court.
Efforts should be made to ensure the accused gets the death penalty, a statement quoted Shinde as saying.
