Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the Assam 2026 Assembly polls will be a symbolic battle of “India versus Britain,” accusing the Congress of holding onto a colonial mindset and acting as an extension of the British legacy in India. The remark has stirred strong reactions across the political spectrum ahead of a highly anticipated election.
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While addressing a public meeting in Guwahati, Sarma launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, likening their ideology and conduct to that of colonial-era administrators, and emphasizing the BJP’s nationalist vision for the future of Assam.
Sarma’s India vs Britain Analogy
The Chief Minister’s remark came in response to Congress’s continued criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its policies in Assam. Referring to the ideological divide between the two parties, Sarma said, “The Assam 2026 Assembly polls will not be BJP vs Congress. It will be India vs Britain. This election will be a choice between the soul of India and the colonial mindset that Congress still carries.”
He added that the Congress continues to operate under a system established during British rule, citing their governance models, foreign policy leanings, and “lack of emotional connection” with indigenous Assamese values.
Criticism of Congress’s Legacy
Sarma accused the Congress of doing little to decolonize Indian governance and claimed that their approach to administration has often neglected indigenous cultures, languages, and development models.
“They left our people behind. They copied the British model of ruling and never cared about real empowerment,” he said.
He emphasized that under BJP rule, Assam has seen initiatives that aim to bring the state closer to its cultural roots, especially through efforts to preserve Assamese language, heritage, and traditional institutions.
According to him, the Assam 2026 Assembly polls will test whether people want to go back to “foreign-style politics” or embrace a “self-made and culturally rooted Assam.”
Assam’s Political Landscape Ahead of 2026
The next Assembly elections in Assam are still two years away, but the political temperature is already rising. The BJP, under Sarma’s leadership, is planning to strengthen its base across the state, especially in districts where the Congress traditionally enjoyed strong support.
The Congress, on the other hand, is attempting a comeback through grassroots campaigns and alliances, and by raising issues such as unemployment, inflation, and alleged misuse of power by the state government.
The “India vs Britain” analogy seems aimed at consolidating nationalist sentiments among voters and portraying the BJP as the true inheritor of the freedom struggle’s legacy—an image Congress has historically claimed for itself.
Reactions from Opposition Parties
Congress leaders were quick to respond, calling the analogy absurd and an insult to democratic discourse. Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah said, “It is ridiculous to compare the Congress party to colonial rulers. We were the ones who fought for India’s independence. Himanta Biswa Sarma should remember his own past before making such claims.”
Other regional parties, including the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), distanced themselves from the remark but criticized the BJP for “diverting attention from real issues.”
Political analysts suggest that this rhetoric is part of a larger strategy to frame the Assam 2026 Assembly polls as a cultural and ideological referendum rather than a typical electoral battle.
Aiming for Cultural and Economic Revival
Sarma has consistently projected the BJP’s rule in Assam as a period of revival—both culturally and economically. He has highlighted infrastructure development, digital governance, and healthcare expansion as achievements under his government.
However, critics argue that several pressing issues, such as ethnic tensions, unemployment, and flood management, remain unresolved.
Still, Sarma remains a popular figure in Assam politics. His ability to connect cultural identity with development politics continues to resonate with a large section of the electorate, especially the youth and rural voters.
The Larger National Context
The statement also comes at a time when the BJP is intensifying its narrative of nationalism ahead of multiple state elections and the 2026 general elections. Similar themes have been echoed in speeches by national BJP leaders, often contrasting “Indian values” with “foreign influence.”
By framing the Assam 2026 Assembly polls as a struggle between national pride and colonial hangovers, Sarma is likely attempting to stir a cultural awakening that dovetails with the party’s ideological framework.
With his “India vs Britain” analogy, Himanta Biswa Sarma has injected fresh ideological heat into the Assam 2026 Assembly polls. As the election season nears, such remarks are expected to shape both campaign strategies and public perception.
Whether this narrative gains traction with voters or draws backlash for polarizing historical interpretation remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—Assam is heading into an election where identity, ideology, and history will play key roles alongside policy and governance.
