Why Himanta Biswa Sarma Is Targeting ‘Miya Muslims’—And Why Congress Is Struggling to Counter the Narrative

Guwahati: As the political temperature rises ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has sharpened his focus on the issue of ‘Miya Muslims’—Bengali-origin Muslims—turning it into a central electoral narrative. While the BJP has combined this polarising pitch with cash-transfer schemes for women and youth, the Congress appears unable to find a credible counter-strategy.

Himanta Biswa Sarma enjoys immense popularity among Assam’s youth, who affectionately refer to him as ‘Mama’. At public rallies, he draws rockstar-like crowds, with young supporters lining up for selfies. Welfare schemes such as Orunodoi and Babu Asoni have further strengthened the BJP’s grassroots appeal. Despite this advantage, Sarma has doubled down on aggressive rhetoric against Miya Muslims, a strategy that has left the Congress politically cornered.

Congress Without a Clear Response

Although Congress leaders have formally opposed Sarma’s statements, the party lacks a coherent narrative to challenge the Miya-Muslim discourse. Under the leadership of Gaurav Gogoi, Congress has attempted to raise allegations of corruption against the state government, but these charges have failed to gain electoral traction. At the same time, the party has hesitated to openly defend Muslim interests, wary of political backlash.

With the Assembly election announcement expected within two months, Sarma has openly claimed that the BJP is on course for a third consecutive term. Congress, weakened by internal divisions and organisational drift, has been unable to mount an effective counter.

Internal Rift Weakens Congress

Congress leaders themselves acknowledge that differences between Assam in-charge Jitendra Singh and state party chief Gaurav Gogoi have hurt campaign cohesion. Once a dominant force in Assam—having ruled the state for 15 years under Tarun Gogoi—the Congress traditionally relied on a coalition of Muslim, Ahom, tribal, and tea garden worker votes.

The BJP broke this social coalition in 2016 and has since consolidated power. Congress’s allies, including CPI(M), Raijor Dal, and Assam Jatiya Parishad, are also struggling to expand their political footprint, further benefiting the BJP.

Sarma’s Multi-Pronged Electoral Strategy

Himanta Biswa Sarma has deployed a broad electoral strategy combining welfare populism with sharp identity politics. Under the Orunodoi scheme, around 3.7 million women beneficiaries received ₹8,000 as Bihu assistance. The Babu Asoni scheme provides financial support to graduate and postgraduate students, while the C.A. Nijut Moina scheme targets school-going girls. Separate welfare initiatives for women have also been rolled out.

Like Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh, Sarma has cultivated a familial political persona, addressing young voters as nephews and nieces. Within the Assam BJP, no serious challenge to his leadership exists, and he enjoys clear backing from the party’s central leadership.

Controversial Statements on Miya Muslims

Despite welfare outreach, Sarma has aggressively promoted the Miya-Muslim narrative. In recent remarks that sparked widespread controversy, he claimed Miya Muslims would not be allowed to live “comfortably” in Assam and urged BJP workers to file Form-7 applications to remove their names from voter lists.

He has repeatedly asserted that Miya Muslims are illegal migrants from Bangladesh and a threat to Assam’s identity, declaring he would continue opposing them politically. Earlier, his government enacted laws against polygamy, child marriage, and unregistered madrasas—moves that reinforced his hardline image.

Gogoi Isolated, Congress Fragmented

Congress’s difficulties are compounded by leadership isolation. When Sarma accused Gaurav Gogoi and his wife Elizabeth of links with Pakistan, most Congress leaders remained silent, forcing Gogoi into a defensive position. His attempts to mobilise support around corruption allegations also failed to galvanise the party.

Congress suffered further setbacks when two of its candidates withdrew at the last moment during the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council elections. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, two Congress MLAs also defected to the BJP.

AIUDF Gains, BJP Benefits

Meanwhile, Badruddin Ajmal’s All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has steadily expanded its influence among Miya Muslims in Lower Assam and the Barak Valley. Political analysts warn this is dangerous for Congress but advantageous for the BJP. A divided Muslim vote could benefit the BJP and its allies—Asom Gana Parishad, People’s Party Liberal, and Bodoland People’s Front.

As electoral polarisation deepens even before the official poll announcement, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s narrative appears firmly set—while Congress continues to search for a response.