Guwahati’s political arena heated up on Wednesday as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans to file both civil and criminal defamation suits against prominent Congress figures. The targets include MP Gaurav Gogoi, former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Jitendra Singh Alwar, and Debabrata Saikia.
Sarma’s sharp retaliation came after a press conference where these leaders unleashed what he called ‘false, malicious, and defamatory’ attacks on his leadership and governance record. Posting on X, the CM declared that legal proceedings would commence on February 9, challenging his opponents to substantiate their claims in court.
“The era of hit-and-run politics is over,” Sarma asserted, vowing not to bow to political pressure or smear campaigns. He accused the Congress leaders of acting on directives from the Gandhi family, framing their actions as orchestrated propaganda rather than genuine critique.
The trigger was Gaurav Gogoi’s launch of a portal, hallsHBS.com, in the presence of Bhupesh Baghel. Gogoi positioned it as a platform to scrutinize Sarma’s political journey and administrative style, promising documents, videos, and materials from the CM’s public life. He emphasized transparency and accountability, claiming it would present facts to Assam’s people.
Complementing the online initiative, Congress plans a statewide pamphlet distribution under a mass outreach program. Baghel echoed these sentiments, underscoring transparency as a cornerstone of democracy.
Sarma dismissed these efforts as political theatrics, standing firm that he fears neither disinformation nor staged defamation. This escalating feud highlights deepening rifts ahead of key electoral battles, with Sarma drawing a line in the sand: prove it in court or face the consequences.
As Assam watches closely, this legal showdown could redefine political discourse in the state, forcing opposition voices to back rhetoric with evidence.