In Rahul Gandhi vs Himanta, Congress's 'do it now' dare to arrest threat: ‘Why after Lok Sabha polls?’

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will be arrested after the Lok Sabha elections.

Published on: Jan 25, 2024, 11:36:13 IST

By HT News Desk

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The verbal duel between the Congress party and Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma continued on Thursday as Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed from the BJP-ruled state.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (L). Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Sarma on Wednesday reiterated that Gandhi and other Congress leaders facing charges for allegedly provoking the crowd will be arrested after the Lok Sabha elections as taking such an action now will politicise the issue. Referring to the FIR lodged against Congress leaders, Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio, announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) would investigate the matter.

Responding to the chief minister's statement, Congress MP Abdul Khaleque dared Sarma to arrest them right away and accused the BJP leader of using the police for political gains.

“If he has the courage to arrest, do it now. Why after the Lok Sabha elections. He is using the state police for his political gains,” he said.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, “Let him file FIRs. We will continue with our yatra. Let him divide the nation based on religion and language, we will bring the nation together with our Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra... He is the most corrupt CM and it is only expected from him to say all this.”

Gandhi stepped up his attack on the Assam chief minister during a public meeting in Barpeta district on Wednesday, labelling Sarma as the "most corrupt CM" in the country and levelling a series of allegations related to land and areca nut trade.

"I don't know how Himanta Biswa Sarma got the idea that he can intimidate me by filing cases. File as many cases as you can. File 25 more cases; I am not going to be intimidated. The BJP-RSS can't intimidate me," the former Congress president said.

"I gave a speech against (Narendra) Modi's special friend (Gautam) Adani, and a case was filed against me. Then they threw me out of Parliament and took away my government residence. I gave the keys myself; I don't want it. My home is in the heart of every Indian citizen; I live there. I have lakhs of houses in Assam, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and all other states," he asserted.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Himanta Biswa Sarma

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