Assam Assembly Election 2021: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s choice not to name incumbent chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal as party candidate for the major post has triggered a wave of speculation that the saffron party could be pondering of rewarding Himanta Biswa Sarma if it returns to energy in Assam. Generally, the BJP does not announce (with exceptions) chief ministerial candidates ahead of the elections but hardly ever has it been the case with the incumbent chief ministers. For Assam, exactly where Sonowal has been the chief minister for 5 years, the saffron party has not but announced that it would be him who would be its leader if the party wins the polls. Going by BJP state chief Ranjeet Dass, the choice of who would be the chief minister would be taken by the parliamentary board. This has generated pretty a buzz that Himanta could be the BJP’s choose for Assam. Himanta has handled important portfolios like finance, overall health, public performs below Sonowal. He was the second most highly effective individual in Tarun Gogoi-led government just before he decided to dump the grand old party to join the BJP. Himanta was eying the major post in the Congress but then chief minister Tarun Gogoi’s moves to market his son Akhil led to his departure. So, the saffron party is conscious of his ambitions and is waiting for the ideal time to reward the man, now identified as the ‘Chanakya of Northeast’.
Who will be the chief minister of Assam?
Both Sonowal and Sarma say the choice will be taken by Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah. But Himanta is a bit more expressive than Sonowal. When asked about a tussle in between him and Sarma, Sonowal not too long ago mentioned it was just a ‘media creation’ and his interest was to have a BJP government in Assam. He additional mentioned that he was a committed party individual and wanted his party to come to energy. Himanta, on the other hand, recommended that he was prepared for the function. Speaking to The Times of India, Himanta addressed the query of him becoming ambitious and mentioned “even if I am ambitious and Amit Bhai says no, you will not become (chief minister)…then what can I do.” He then mentioned that what ever Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah say, will come about. He also mentioned that he will adhere to what ever Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah choose. However, Himanta added that if he “could gain something by lobbying in pursuit of that ambition, I would do it”. “They (Modi, Shah) have my full record. So, for Assam, if they feel Himanta is the right man, they will give it to me. If they feel Sonowal is the right man, they will give it to him,” Himanta mentioned to Times of India. One point stands out, Himanta talks about his record, which no doubt is impressive.
Himanta ahead of Sonowal in CM race?
Ever considering the fact that Himanta joined the BJP in 2015, the party has expanded its footprints in just about every element of the area. He was instrumental in generating governments in states exactly where his party’s numbers have been much less than that of the Opposition’s. In Manipur, for instance, the saffron party formed the government regardless of getting seven seats much less than that of the Congress. Himanta is one of the properly connected leaders in Northeast. Even in the existing election, when Shiladitya Dev, a sitting MLA, was denied a ticket by the BJP, he resigned from the party and announced his candidature as an independent. Himanta reached out to the former BJP leader and convinced him to withdraw, which he did. Himanta is BJP’s crisis manager in the North-eastern area and has loyalists not only in his personal party but also in other opposition parties such as Congress. And if the BJP falls quick of the majority, he would be the man on the hunt in the area.
Where they stand on CAA, Hindutva
In the final 5 years, Assam witnessed two severe pushbacks from the people today, 1st on extremely botched up NRC and then the Citizenship Amendment Act. On each difficulties, Himanta was clear and fought for what he believed was ideal. On the NRC, he demanded re-verification of names in some border districts and backed the Centre on the CAA. People of Assam do not assistance CAA, saying new citizenship to anyone regardless of their religion will disturb the language and Assamese culture. Sonowal comes from the league of leaders born out of All Assam Student Union or AASU, the outfit that fought a extended battle against the illegal migration into Assam. He has to tread a really fine line though speaking on the CAA.
Sonowal, by some accounts, is not really open to embrace Hindu refugees from the neighbouring nations. He, on the other hand, also backs the Centre on CAA. In an interview to Hindustan Times, Sonowal not too long ago mentioned that the opposition to CAA in the state was not a concern any longer. He mentioned people today have been misled into believing that it would disenfranchise millions, but none of that was going to come about. The Congress, he mentioned, was engaging in doublespeak by saying it will not enable its implementation of CAA in Assam. Sonowal represents the soft energy in the government though the circumstance is the opposite with Himanta. For instance, Himanta can openly say that he does not have to have Muslim votes to win in Assam though Sonowal would do it differently. With Sonowal, the saffron party desires to handle neighborhood Assamese votes though Sarma can enable it consolidate Hindus against the Congress-AIUDF.