Why Assam continues to put its faith in Himanta Biswa Sarma and BJP

The BJP-led NDA has pulled off yet another dominating performance in Assam.

Of the 126 seats up for grabs in the state Assembly, the alliance is at 102 seats. The Congress bloc has just 20 seats, while the AIUDF is on two seats.

A constant behind the BJP success story in Assam is incumbent Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is poised for his second straight term. The 57-year-old is leading in the Jalukbari seat, which he has won five straight times earlier.

Himanta earlier took charge as Chief Minister of Assam in 2021. But how has Himanta remained a constant in the BJP’s success story in Assam?

Let’s take a closer look:

Rise in BJP

Himanta, a longtime Congress insider, joined the BJP after a spectacular falling out with then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi over his son Gaurav and wanting a ‘pride of place’ in the high command. Considered the architect of the Congress’s 2011 victory in Assam, he joined the saffron party just prior to the 2016 Assembly polls.

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According to a previous Firstpost piece, Himanta at the time left the Congress for the BJP along with nine Congress legislators, got the Bodo People’s Front (BPF) to make a deal with the BJP, as well as reached out to the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) for a tie-up in the state.

He also advised the BJP’s central leadership and candidates during the polls and made an extensive tour of constituencies by helicopter prior to the polls. By August 2016, Himanta was appointed convener of the then newly formed North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA). According to Indian Express, Himanta was considered the BJP’s main strategist in the north-east.

Himanta made history by helping the BJP come to power in Assam for the first time. The party at the time won 86 seats in the 126-seat state Assembly. While Sarbananda Sonowal was the chief ministerial face of the BJP at the time, Himanta was widely thought to be the king-in-waiting.

Himanta would finally get his chance in the chair. The BJP, which had not announced a chief ministerial candidate before the 2021 Assembly polls in Assam, had said it would do so after the polls. Himanta at the time played down his chances in an interview.

Sarbananda Sonowal was the chief ministerial face of the BJP in 2016.

“What difference does it make even if I have ambitions? If PM and Amit bhai decide that I will not be (CM), then can I become one? You don’t think over things that bring no benefits. At the end of the day, I have to follow whatever PM and Amit bhai decide. I have to go by whatever they say without questioning. So why should I put my mind to it? Any lobbying before the PM and Amit bhai has no value. They know everyone and have everyone’s horoscope. If they feel Himanta Biswa Sarma is the right man for Assam, they will give it to me; if they feel Sarbananda Sonowal is the right man, they will give it to him; or if they feel both of them are not good, let’s bring another person. So tell me, is it any good even if I or Sarbananda Sonowal keep thinking about it or give thousands of press interviews?” Himanta told PTI.

The BJP, which had won 60 seats in the state, then replaced Sonowal with Himanta as Chief Minister of Assam. According to Indian Express, these events paralleled Himanta’s increasing influence within the party, particularly his equation with Amit Shah. Himanta targeting ‘illegal infiltration’ and his focus on Hindutva put him in the eyes of many in the BJP in the same category as Yogi Adityanath.

Himanta has gained the reputation of a “problem-solver” and someone who finds a way to deliver. Shah, who is close to Himanta, reportedly said about him, “The great thing about this boy is he never says no to anything. He just finds a way to make things happen.”

CM of Assam

Himanta, during his time as Chief Minister of Assam, focused on development. According to India Today, the state has seen major upgrades to its roads and national highways during his tenure. The state has seen emergency landing strips and rural roads being developed. Himanta has also been proposing a high-speed Guwahati–Dibrugarh expressway.

Dibrugarh, which is being positioned as Assam's second administrative capital, is also receiving attention. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has laid the foundation for a new Assam Legislative Assembly complex and an MLA hostel in the Upper Assam town.

Experts say Sarma played it smartly.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“Sarma used fear and development as a two-pronged strategy to win support across Assam. The roads, flyovers, bridges, investments and beneficiary schemes are one aspect, while the other was playing on the threat perception among Assamese from outsiders. He projected that only BJP can give development and protection from cultural aggression,” Kaustubh Deka, professor of political science at Dibrugarh University, told Hindustan Times.

“Despite the controversies surrounding him, Himanta is seen as a hero and someone who can deliver. With this one-sided verdict, the aura of invincibility around Himanta will further strengthen and his brand of politics will be completely validated. His stature within the party and in the region will get further enlarged,” he added.

The Indian Express piece noted how this was the BJP’s third straight victory in Assam with Himanta guiding matters. It said this raises his profile even further and could lead to him potentially moving up the ladder in the BJP’s high command.

FAQs

1. When did Himanta Biswa Sarma become Chief Minister of Assam?

Himanta Biswa Sarma became Chief Minister in 2021 after replacing Sarbananda Sonowal.

2. What role did Himanta play in BJP’s rise in Assam?

He acted as a key strategist, helped build alliances, and played a major role in election campaigns and governance.

3. What are the key features of his governance as Chief Minister?

His tenure has focused on infrastructure development, road expansion, and identity politics.

With inputs from agencies