Assam BJP to hold statewide rallies over Congress pressure claims

Himanta Biswa Sarma said the BJP will hold peaceful rallies across Assam from October 13 to 31. The campaign seeks to counter Congress over its stand on constitutional institutions and electoral roll revision.Stock photo used for illustrationGuwahati,Oct 12, 2026 16:14 ISTAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said the BJP will hold peaceful rallies at all district headquarters in the state from October 13 to 31. He said the programme would be used to highlight what he alleged were attempts by the Congress to blackmail constitutional institutions, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and undermine the democratic mandate.In a post on X, Sarma also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of trying to exert political pressure on the Supreme Court by marching to the court despite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declining to meet opposition leaders. He alleged that Gandhi and the Congress were attacking the foundations of India's democracy.Sarma said, "Their double standard is plain to see. When Shri @narendramodi Ji is elected Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi calls it manipulation, yet his own election to Parliament and his subsequent elevation as Leader of the Opposition is beyond question." He added, "When Assam votes, the result is unacceptable; when Kerala votes, it is welcomed. Democracy, for the Congress, is valid only when it delivers victory for the Congress."Referring to the Congress leaders' attempt to meet the court, Sarma said, "Now, by marching to the Supreme Court despite the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India declining a meeting, Rahul Gandhi seeks to turn political pressure on the highest court of our land. Constitutional institutions cannot be made answerable to a party's electoral frustrations." He added, "The people of Assam will not stay silent. From tomorrow until 31 October, @BJP4Assam will hold peaceful mass rallies at every district headquarters across the state." He said that through these rallies, "we will alert our people to the Congress party's attempts to blackmail our constitutional institutions, shield infiltrators by opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and undermine the democratic mandate of the people". He added that the programme would also "reaffirm our unwavering support for Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji and his vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047". Sarma also said, "Our institutions deserve independence. Neither can be held hostage to political convenience."Sarma's remarks came after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi wrote to the CJI on October 10 seeking a meeting on October 12 between 4 pm and 5 pm. They wanted to submit a memorandum on the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission of India, the "arbitrary arrest" of several students, the closure of Metro stations and the cancellation of trains, among other issues. The CJI, however, declined to meet the opposition leaders, saying it would be "incompatible with the established ethics and judicial propriety" since the issues raised by them are sub judice before the court. In sum, Sarma said the BJP's rallies across Assam would back the people's mandate and constitutional institutions, while accusing the Congress of trying to pressure institutions and oppose the SIR of electoral rolls.- Ends