Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with some of his party colleagues at an election rally in poll-bound Assam. Photo: @INCIndia/X via PTI
Rahul tears into CM Himanta in Assam, says BJP turned state into 'land ATM' for corporates
In a rally, the Congress leader called the Assam CM India's 'most corrupt' and vowed 100-day justice for the late cultural icon Zubeen Garg
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (April 2) called Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma the country's "most corrupt" chief minister, and alleged that the latter, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is operating a "land ATM" in the northeastern state, which facilitates "snatching" of land from the public and transferring it to large corporations.
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Addressing a rally in Bokajan town in Karbi Anglong district of Assam in support of his party candidate Raton Engti, Rahul also mentioned Zubeen Garg, a singer and cultural icon in these parts, who died in a freak accident in Singapore last year. The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said Garg also stood for Assam and its people, and that the Grand-Old Party would deliver justice to him for his death within 100 days of coming to power in the state.
Assam goes to the polls on April 9. The Congress, which dominated the state over the decades, last ruled it between 2011 and 2016 when it lost power to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The state's Assembly has 126 seats and to form the government, a party/alliance has to win 64.
'Himanta Biswa Sarma's family No.1 in corruption'
Taking on Sarma, his former colleague in the Congress, Rahul said, "India's most corrupt CM is Himanta Biswa Sarma, and his family is also No 1 in corruption. The Congress government will take action against him. Though he is boasting himself now, he will be completely silent after that."
He alleged that Sarma is running Assam through syndicates and is fully controlled by Modi due to his corruption charges.
हिन्दुस्तान के सबसे भ्रष्ट मुख्यमंत्री हैं हिमंता बिस्वा सरमा। pic.twitter.com/EfF4WyQOJN
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 2, 2026
Rahul also claimed that three big corporate houses have been handed over a total of 98,400 bighas of land in Assam.
"Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Himanta Biswa Sarma have made a land ATM in Assam. They snatch land from the people and give it to big industrialists," he asserted.
About Garg, the Congress leader said, "He did not stand for one person, one community, one language or one history. He reflected the spirit of the multi-cultural, multi-religious tradition of Assam. Once we come to power, we will deliver justice within 100 days, and it is 100 per cent sure."
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Gandhi also asserted that Congress believes in decentralisation and that power should be given to the local people, while the BJP is trying to run Assam from Delhi.
"That is the difference between the BJP and the Congress. People of different ideologies, identities, religions and castes live in Assam, which is like a bouquet of different flowers. We want people to live like this," he added.
"We promise to implement Article 244(A) of the Constitution fully. Karbi Anglong and all Sixth Schedule areas will be governed by the local people, not by Guwahati or Delhi," he added.
Gandhi asserted that all the rights and identity of the tribal population will be fully protected under the Congress government.
On the India-US trade deal, the Congress MP claimed it is a loss for New Delhi as taxes for American goods were lowered, and the Indian market has been opened by them.
'Trump controls Narendra Modi'
"(US President) Donald Trump controls Narendra Modi due to the Epstein files... Trump knows all the records of Adani, and he even filed criminal cases against Adani in the US," he added.
Because of the trade deal, the agriculture sector has been opened to the US corporates and America is in a dictating position regarding India's purchase of crude oil, Gandhi stressed.
Also read: BJP is like a ‘commercial enterprise’ in Assam: Ex-BJP MP Rajen Gohain | Interview
"Narendra Modi has also handed over all data to Trump. The deal says India will have to purchase 9 lakh crore worth of goods from the US. This will devastate small industrialists and traders in India," he added.
Gandhi also mentioned the party's "five guarantees", which include an unconditional monthly money transfer into every woman's bank account, along with an additional Rs 50,000 assistance to women willing to set up or expand a business.
The Congress has also pledged Rs 25 lakh cashless health insurance for all families and permanent land pattas for 10 lakh indigenous people.
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Besides, Rs 1,250 per month for senior citizens of the state and a dedicated department will be established to oversee matters concerning the elderly.
The Congress, which is leading an alliance to topple the BJP from power in Assam, is spearheaded by Gaurav Gogoi, its state chief and Rahul's deputy in the Lower House.
(With agency inputs)