Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has triggered a fresh political controversy after stating that his government has “no enmity” with Miya Muslims if they accept certain conditions, a remark that has sparked intense debate ahead of the upcoming elections.
Speaking to the media, Sarma said that the government had no problem with people who respect and love the country. He added that if Miya Muslims follow certain conditions, there would be no conflict with them. Although he mentioned that there are ten conditions in total, the chief minister publicly referred to six of them. He said that if people raise slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and sing the entire “Vande Mataram,” there would be no objection. He also said there would be no issue if practices such as “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and “fertilizer jihad” were stopped, and if activities like illegal land encroachment, child marriage and polygamy were brought to an end.
Sarma maintained that his opposition was not directed at any community but at certain practices. However, his sudden conciliatory tone toward Miya Muslims has become a major talking point in Assam politics, particularly because of his earlier statements in which he had sharply criticised the community. In the past, he had referred to Miya Muslims as “outsiders” and made several controversial remarks that drew criticism both within the country and internationally.
Observers believe the chief minister’s change in tone has come at a time when political competition is intensifying ahead of the Assembly elections. Analysts say that while earlier rhetoric appeared aimed at consolidating support among sections of Assamese voters, the present political situation may be pushing the ruling party to seek broader electoral backing.
The debate intensified further after three legislators of the All India United Democratic Front publicly supported the NDA candidate in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for March 16. The MLAs—Karim Uddin Barbhuiya from Sonai, Nizam Uddin Choudhury from Algapur and Zakir Hussain Laskar from Hailakandi—signed the nomination papers of NDA candidate Pramod Boro, who is also the president of the United People’s Party Liberal.
The development has revived allegations from opposition parties that the BJP and AIUDF maintain a tacit understanding despite projecting themselves as political rivals. The BJP has often criticised AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal and accused him of representing Miya interests, while also warning in previous elections that Ajmal could become chief minister if the BJP was not voted to power.
The Congress has repeatedly alleged that some AIUDF legislators function as “agents” of the ruling party. Similar accusations had surfaced during the 2022 Rajya Sabha elections when certain AIUDF MLAs were suspected of backing BJP candidates.
Meanwhile, Sarma indicated that the three AIUDF legislators who supported the NDA candidate may soon join the Asom Gana Parishad, an ally of the BJP in Assam. According to the chief minister, the MLAs are likely to formally join the party within the next few days.
In response, AIUDF leaders said the three legislators had already been suspended from the party and that their future political decisions would be their personal matter. On the same day, NDA candidates Yogendra Mohan and Birendra Prasad Baishya also filed their nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections.
The developments have intensified political debate in Assam, with critics questioning whether the changing rhetoric reflects electoral calculations ahead of the next round of political contests in the state.
