Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday labelled the opposition INDIA bloc as “dead” and urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to reconsider taking its leadership. Sarma emphasized that the coalition “will never be reborn” and suggested Banerjee focus on her responsibilities in Bengal instead.
“I want to request Didi (Mamata Banerjee)… you are a chief minister and have to work for Bengal and fight elections in coming days… why are you going to take leadership of a dead alliance, which will never be reborn,” Sarma said while addressing media persons.
His remarks come after Banerjee voiced dissatisfaction with the bloc’s functioning and hinted at her willingness to lead it if given the opportunity. Leaders like NCP chief Sharad Pawar and RJD president Lalu Prasad have supported Banerjee’s leadership aspirations.
Sarma also criticized the Congress-led no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, describing it as a politically motivated move. “The Congress wants to capture the House and stall it even though it is in the opposition,” he alleged. He further accused the party of having a history of undermining individuals who refuse to conform to its agenda.
Recalling historical instances, Sarma claimed, “Indira Gandhi insulted the then president Zail Singh. People also say that she forcefully took the signature of the then president Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed at midnight to impose Emergency in the country.” He went on to declare that the Congress and the Gandhi family have been rejected by the people of India and will face continued electoral defeats.
On another note, Sarma reiterated the necessity of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) to distinguish between genuine citizens and infiltrators. “There is a need to prepare an NRC-like document to differentiate Indians and infiltrators,” he said earlier in the day in Puri, after visiting the Jagannath temple.
Sarma added that his government had decided to link Aadhaar registration with NRC records. “One should have his/her name registered in the NRC to obtain an Aadhaar card. If the applicant’s name is not there in the NRC, the person will not get an Aadhaar card,” he stated.
The BJP leader’s remarks underline the party’s firm stance on issues of national security and citizenship, as well as its continued criticism of the opposition INDIA bloc and its constituents.