-Rituparna Dutta
The Northeast politics in the past decades had always remained inside close doors, distinct from the mainstream media and was not-much talked about. Until the BJP fledged across the region, dethroning the incumbent leader, late Tarun Gogoi in the year 2016. And the man behind BJP’s ‘Grihapravesh’ in Assam was none other than Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Often termed as the Chanakya of Assam politics, Himanta Biswa Sarma is the considered to be the chief architect in formulating the BJP in Assam. Born in 1969 at Ulubari in Guwahati, Sarma before entering politics was an active practitioner at the Guwahati High Court from 1996-2001. Himanta also held the post of General Secretary in the prestigious Cotton College Union for three consecutive terms and was the convenor of Election Management Committee of BJP Assam from 2015-16.
Spanning a career of 20 years in regional politics the 52-year old mass leader joined BJP in 2015 after having a spat with the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. Debuting in 2001 on a congress ticket, the first time elected MLA from Jalukbari have had to never look back. Once asking about his popularity among the mass, Himanta Biswa Sarma termed it as blessing and emphasised that people will listen to party representatives only if they articulate works based on statistics.
The three-time elected MLA during the congress regime was a part of the state cabinet and held offices relating to Health, Agriculture, Planning and Development, Education, Technology and Finance. And currently leads the Finance Department in Sarbananda Sonowal’s cabinet. It is reported that despite not willing to contest in the 2021 Assembly elections, Himanta was urged to contest from his Jalukbari seat, which he eventually agreed having consultation with BJP’s core management team.
In 2016, the BJP had won 60 seats out of 126 in Assam and Himanta’s contribution undoubtedly darted victory for the saffron brigade. This led the party to widespread its wings in Manipur as Himanta is a dictated face in the northeastern belt. Sarma is also extensively known for his stringent stance relating to the implementation of CAA in Assam and across the country.
According to Himanta Biswa Sarma the Assamese culture has come under serious threat due to the infiltration of Muslims over the past 4 decades. Acknowledging a strong Hindutva outlook, Sarma accuses the congress to ridicule the Assamese culture under the dominance of some alienated force. In a interview to the IANS, Biswa Sarma quoted, “Since 1935, the congress started civilisation conflict. And if Bangladeshi people come and occupy Assamese land and culture, then it is a serious concern”.
As the election has begun in Assam, tough fight is embracing both for the BJP and Himanta. The popularity and acceptance of Himanta Biswa Sarma is nevertheless hinting the leader to be the next would be CM of the land of Tea.