To Cong's 'why wait for election to arrest Rahul Gandhi', Himanta Biswa Sarma says, 'We need him'

Earlier, Sarma said that the Assam government will arrest Rahul Gandhi after this year's Lok Sabha elections.

Published on: Jan 25, 2024, 15:47:02 IST

By HT News Desk

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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying that his party “needs Rahul Gandhi during the elections”.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. (PTI)

Sarma made the remarks in connection with his statement that the Assam government will arrest Rahul Gandhi after this year's Lok Sabha elections.

"We have filed an FIR. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) will conduct the investigation and he (Gandhi) will be arrested after the Lok Sabha elections'', Sarma said on Wednesday on the the sidelines of a programme at Nazira in Sibsagar district.

This was after the Assam police took suo moto cognizance of alleged violence during Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and registered an FIR against a host of Congress leaders.

The police have clamped sections that deal with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, rioting, assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharging their duty, damaging public property and others.

Also Read | Himanta Biswa Sarma calls Congress ‘soft naxal’, asks if Rahul Gandhi uses body double in yatra

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.

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

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi says Himanta Biswa Sarma to be ‘thrown out’ if…

"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

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