Agartala: Assam Chief Minister and NEDA Convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that to protect the entire North East region from the threat of infiltration, BJP governments are a must in Tripura, Assam and Bengal.
Speaking to media persons after offering prayers at Maa Tripura Sundari temple, he said, “Infiltration is a big issue in Assam and Tripura. After the next census, the Muslim population in Assam will account for 40 percent of the total population. It is a complex situation. The whole North East is facing danger but Assam is facing the brunt of it.”
He also launched a scathing attack on the Bengal government. “The infiltration from Bangladesh has become a very critical issue. In Tripura, enforcement is underway very effectively. In Assam, we are acting and detaining them but as soon as they enter Bengal no action is taken against them. Bengal is not responding to the national cause which is why the whole country is suffering. Along with Assam, I am hopeful that the BJP government is formed in Bengal as well. Because, for the North East to survive, we have to do a lot of work along the Indo-Bangla borders. For that to happen we need to have BJP governments in Tripura, Assam and Bengal,” he added.
On the possibility of the BJP’s comeback in Assam with better figures, he said, “Considering the present political situation, if the elections are conducted today we will be able to secure very good figures, but no one can predict the future in politics and circumstances change very rapidly. So, we cannot say anything for sure unless and until the poll results are declared, but even then the BJP has a strong presence across Assam.”
On being asked about his poll planks, Sarma said, “Assam has only two political issues. The first is development and the second is identity politics. The BJP is handling both aspects of Assam politics very tactfully in the interests of the people of Assam. People are very happy because almost 100 percent of the promises we made ahead of the polls have been fulfilled. In my five years, I have given jobs to 1.6 lakh youngsters. Today people get jobs without corruption.”
Apart from that, he said, “Two lakh bighas of land have been retrieved which were illegally occupied by Bangladeshis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gifting Assam new projects. The day after tomorrow, he is coming for the 36-kilometre elevated corridor over Kaziranga. So, the BJP worked extensively in the last five years and I believe the voters will again bless us with a popular mandate.”
On being asked about the BJP’s strategy in minority-dominated areas, he said, “Where we have no supporters, there is no point in fielding candidates there. If any friendly force wants to contest the elections, then we have no objections.”
To a query on political competitors, he said, “In 22 to 23 seats, the Congress is strong. In other seats, if people cast their votes in our favour, we have no competitor, but if the voters do not want us in every seat there is tough competition.”
According to Sarma, he does not want the minority population to vote for the BJP.
“The Congress will definitely get the minority votes. People should vote according to their preference. If I ask them to vote for me, they will get hurt. I do not want to hurt anyone. I will do my job. Even if they do not vote for me, I will work for them,” Sarma asserted.
When asked about his visit right before the Assam elections, he said, “Before undertaking any new initiative, be it elections or otherwise, a visit to this temple gives spiritual strength and all of us know how dearly the holy mother loves her devotees and blesses them. The whole country reveres the holy mother.”
Refuting any political engagement, Sarma dispelled speculation that he had anything to do with state politics, especially the power tussle between allies BJP and Tipra Motha ahead of the TTAADC elections. “I have come here for darshan at the holy shrine. Nothing is political about it. I am supposed to meet the Chief Minister on a courtesy call. I am not in touch with Tripura politics as the Assam elections are scheduled to be declared in February 2026 with only fifty days left,” he added.
Thanking the Tripura government, he said, “After a long time I have arrived in Tripura. Whenever I come to Tripura, I seek blessings from Maa Tripurasundari. It is a matter of fortune to be here at this temple. I extend sincere thanks to the Government of Tripura and the Chief Minister for taking initiatives to renovate and redevelop the temple with new and advanced infrastructure. After Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the redeveloped temple premises, this was my maiden visit. It is not a matter of intention, it is a matter of fortune that one can seek blessings from the holy mother, and I did so.”
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The Assam Chief Minister made a quick trip to Tripura amid his busy campaign ahead of the polls in his home state. Speculation had been rife that the party high command had entrusted him with the task of troubleshooting the power tussle within Tripura’s ruling alliance led by the BJP. However, Sarma had no political meetings scheduled. He arrived in Tripura to seek blessings at the Tripura Sundari temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, and departed from the state early on Friday. Before leaving the state, he met the family members of late Biswa Bandhu Sen, former Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, who died after battling a prolonged illness. On Thursday night, he met Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on a courtesy call after offering prayers at the Tripura Sundari temple.
He was welcomed by BJP Tripura Pradesh president Rajib Bhattacharjee at the airport, and at the temple located in Udaipur under Tripura’s Gomati district, he was welcomed by former Union minister Pratima Bhoumik.
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