Himanta Biswa Sarma's Popularity: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's popularity is at its peak in the poll-bound Assam, so is the Bharatiya Janata Party's dominance in the state. The story of Sarma's political ascent and the BJP's rise in the northeastern state has gone almost parallel. Many believe Sarma's switch from Congress to the saffron party was a turning point, which has changed the political landscape of Assam. Sarma emerged as a fortune-drawer for the BJP as the saffron party has been on a winning streak since Sarma joined the BJP in 2015.
A Socialist Sarma
It is not only his political prudence, cadre management ability and organisational skill, but his ability to stay connected to the ground that is a core of his success. He goes beyond his protocol to help the needy. His popularity breached all sections of society. His social welfare programmes earned a nickname 'Mama' (maternal uncle). Sarma's energetic roadshows and constant communication with the cadres create a sense of closeness and trust in the party.
I am sharing my first-hand experience with Sarma years before he became the chief minister of the state. On April 2, 2020, the first week of the lockdown during COVID, my wife Dwadashi Bora gave birth to twins- Lachi and Praneet, both were pre-mature, and doctors told us to keep them in the incubator, which cost around Rs 22,000 per day for two babies. Babies had to stay in the incubator for three months, which would have cost around Rs 20 lakh, beyond my financial capacity. I approached Sarma, who was then Assam Health Minister. He ensured me full support from the state government. He personally communicated with Pratiksha Hospital management, Guwahati. He also followed up on the matter at regular intervals. With my own experience, I can say he is a people's leader.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, two health ministers in the countries dared to stay out of secure offices, one was Kerala's KK Shailaja and the other was Assam's Sarma. He would often be seen at railway stations, highways, hospitals, or bus stands to ensure COVID norms were followed. It was Sarma's dedication and performance that earned him the CM post in 2021. His senior in the party, Sarbananda Sonowal, happily left the post for Sarma, a turncoat.
Now, after five years of chief ministerialship, he is again in the poll battle, but this time he is steering the poll campaign. Sarma on Friday filed nomination papers as a BJP candidate from the Jalukbari constituency. Sarma has represented Jalukbari under the Gauhati Lok Sabha constituency since 2001 and seeks to retain it for the sixth consecutive term in the April 9 polls.
Here Are The Other Factors That Fueled His Popularity:
Strong Stance On Illegal Infiltration: Sarma has taken a strong stance on the Bangladeshi infiltrators. His government ran anti-encroachment drives and removed people from government and tribal lands, returning them to the original owners, strengthening border security.
Stance On Muslims: He has been critical of the growth of the Muslim population, illegal Madrasas, and has flagged demographic change in Assam. His hardline stand on Hindutva increased his support base in the northeast.
Taking On Rahul Gandhi: The BJP often sets Sarma to attack Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. In an interview, he said it was Gandhi who stopped his mother, Sonia Gandhi, from elevating him as Chief Minister when Tarun Gogoi was alive.
Assamese Identity: Sarma successfully aligned the Assamese identity with the RSS and the BJP's nationalist ideologies. He ensures that the Assamese identity, land, and culture are protected, accusing previous governments of ignoring them.
Under Sarma's leadership, roads, health, and education facilities have improved, which has strengthened his popularity. The state's GSDP growth rate was the fastest in the country. Welfare schemes for women, youth, and the underprivileged (such as Orunodoi), a semiconductor park, and other projects were launched, creating a vision of solid progress.