Amidst all the rumours and the veracious gossips within the political circuit of Assam regarding a major political change at the top-level, a recent tweet created a buzz in the entire media fraternity. The viral tweet was from the ‘probable’ soon-to-be Chief Minister of Assam ‘Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.’
In a series of tweets, the most influential BJP leader in the northeast said that he is not keen on contesting the state polls due in mid-2021. He also stated that his role would be limited to contributing to the party in whatever other ways he could.
This development comes as a twist in the tale of the political scenario of Assam. Various theories and reports have been making rounds in Dispur regarding a change in the top leadership of the state.
A well-placed source in the state BJP vouched for Himanta’s name doing rounds as the Chief Minister of Assam before the state goes for the poll due in mid-2021. “It is confirmed that Himanta Biswa Sarma will be the new chief minister of Assam. While Sarbada [Sarbananda Sonowal] will step down for the time being,” the source informed.
Speaking exclusively to Headline8, a close aide of Sarma said, “any moment the party high command will give green signal to change the chief minister.”
Upon being asked on the uncertainty looming over the chief minster’s throne, Assam BJP state President Ranjit Kumar Dass stated that the BJP high command will decide on the matter and the state leadership would happily comply to their decision.
Recently, Pijush Hazarika, Assam’s junior minister and a close-aide of Sarma also said that he has all the merits of becoming a chief minister.
However, the tweet from the Health Minister of Assam seems to put a rest to all the theories and reports that are doing rounds. But that’s not the case; the tweet squashing all the speculations might just be another trick up the sleeves of Sarma.
A source close to Sarma informed Headline8, “BJP is a party where the high command has the final call on all the decisions. Let it be a state minister or a chief minister, all the portfolios are decided in Delhi. Whatever the high command decides, the state parties have to comply.”
Commenting on Sarma’s tweet, the source added, “Himanta’s tweet is just to put fuel to the fire. Himanta will act in accordance with the high command. If the high command needs him to be the CM of the state right away, he is ready.”
As a matter of fact, the health minister recently hinted that he is eying for the top position while speaking to a local satellite channel when he mentioned that he has 100 MLAs by his side including MLAs from the Congress and other parties; and everyone would get to know of it when he visits the Governor with the 100 MLAs.
Interestingly, Sarma didn’t specify when he plans the visit to the Governor. However, his tweet about not contesting the assembly elections next year shows his true intentions and further, complicates the already confusing political corridors in the state.