The Political War of Words between Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has intensified over the state’s flood response, rising prices and the upcoming Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. Baghel, the former Chhattisgarh chief minister and newly appointed Congress general secretary in charge of Assam, criticised Sarma on September 12 and urged him to focus on issues affecting Assam residents.
Baghel questioned whether flood-affected families were receiving adequate assistance and also highlighted the rising costs of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and sugar. His remarks came after Sarma made political comments concerning Congress and Baghel’s role in Assam.
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Political War of Words Centres on Assam Flood Relief
The Political War of Words has placed flood relief at the centre of the latest exchange between the Congress and the BJP-led Assam government. Speaking to reporters at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati, Baghel argued that the state government should concentrate on the difficulties faced by people affected by the floods rather than commenting on political developments in Chhattisgarh.
Baghel specifically questioned the reach of government relief in flood-affected areas. He referred to Assam as a “double-engine government” and argued that flood victims should receive greater attention from the state administration.
However, the Assam government has already announced and distributed several rounds of interim assistance to affected households. On September 1, Sarma said ₹25.12 crore had been transferred to 16,746 families in Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat, with each family receiving ₹15,000.
Earlier, the government had also released ₹47.93 crore to 31,951 flood-affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat. Additionally, the government had announced a broader one-time interim assistance programme covering 1,17,095 households, with a total allocation of ₹175 crore.
Therefore, Baghel’s criticism reflects a political assessment of the adequacy and reach of relief, while government records cited in recent reports show that financial assistance has been distributed to several affected families.
Baghel Flags Rising Prices of Essential Goods
The Congress leader also shifted attention to household costs. Baghel urged the Assam government to address increases in the prices of petrol, diesel, cooking gas and sugar.
His criticism comes as inflation and household expenses remain politically significant issues. By highlighting fuel and essential commodities, Baghel sought to frame the political debate around everyday economic pressures rather than electoral calculations outside Assam.
Moreover, the timing gives the issue additional political importance because Assam is entering a period of renewed electoral activity. The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for October 6, 2026, with counting scheduled for October 9.
Baghel has been assigned responsibility for Assam by the Congress and is now involved in the party’s organisational and electoral preparations. Consequently, his public criticism of the state government is also part of a wider effort to establish the issues that Congress intends to emphasise.
The Congress has increasingly focused its Assam campaign messaging on floods, illegal mining, governance and local economic concerns. Baghel and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi also held discussions with alliance partners on the strategy for the Nagaon by-election.
Sarma and Congress Clash Ahead of Nagaon Bypoll
The latest exchange comes amid sharper political rhetoric between Sarma and the Congress. On September 11, Sarma said Congress would not return to power in Assam for the next 20 years. He also argued that the party had been politically weakened following the BJP-led alliance’s victory in the 2026 Assembly election.
That statement provides important context for Baghel’s response. Rather than engaging primarily with the prediction about Congress’s electoral future, Baghel redirected attention to flood relief and the cost of essential commodities.
Meanwhile, Congress has started preparing for the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. Baghel said the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee had conducted meetings involving its Political Affairs Committee, vice-presidents and Pradesh Election Committee. Further consultations with legislators and observers were also planned before the party forwards potential names to the All India Congress Committee.
The by-election has become an important early political contest following the 2026 Assam Assembly election. Congress is attempting to coordinate with its alliance partners, while the BJP-led camp is preparing to defend its political position in the constituency.
Furthermore, Baghel has criticised the circumstances surrounding the by-election itself. He alleged that the Nagaon contest had been “imposed” on voters by the BJP-led government, referring to the political developments that preceded the vacancy. Such claims represent the Congress’s political position and should not be treated as an independent finding.
Floods, Illegal Mining and Local Issues Enter Campaign Debate
The flood issue has expanded beyond the direct exchange between Baghel and Sarma. Congress leaders have also alleged that illegal mining contributed to the severity of flooding in parts of Upper Assam and accused governments of failing to prevent such activities. These are political allegations and have not been established as facts by the reports cited here.
Gaurav Gogoi and Baghel have pointed to districts including Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat and Jorhat while discussing flood-related concerns. Congress leaders have also said the party is undertaking relief activities in affected areas.
At the same time, the state government has continued announcing assistance measures. On September 11, Sarma approved ₹1.56 crore from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for 5,158 undergraduate and postgraduate students affected by floods in Sivasagar and Charaideo. The assistance is intended to help students purchase study materials and continue their education.
Therefore, the political disagreement is not simply about whether the government has announced relief. Instead, the competing narratives focus on whether the assistance has been sufficient, timely and accessible to all affected sections.
Additionally, flood management is likely to remain a major electoral issue because the consequences extend beyond immediate relief. Damage to homes, agriculture, education, roads and livelihoods can continue affecting families after floodwaters recede. Consequently, both government performance and opposition criticism are likely to remain prominent in the political debate.
Assam Politics Gains Momentum Ahead of October 6 Poll
The Political War of Words is unfolding against a broader backdrop of intensified political activity in Assam. With the Nagaon by-election approaching, both major political camps have begun defining the issues they want voters to consider.
For Congress, Baghel’s intervention allows the party to connect state-level concerns with its electoral strategy. Flood relief, essential commodity prices, illegal mining and local development have emerged as prominent themes in recent statements.
Meanwhile, the BJP-led government can point to its financial assistance measures and other administrative initiatives. The September 1 relief transfer alone covered 16,746 families, while earlier phases had extended assistance to tens of thousands more.
The contrasting narratives could therefore shape the political discussion ahead of October 6. Congress is emphasising unresolved public grievances, while the government is highlighting measures already implemented.
However, the final electoral impact will depend on how voters assess these competing claims. The Nagaon contest will provide an early indication of whether issues such as flood relief, prices and governance can translate into electoral support.
Conclusion
The Political War of Words between Bhupesh Baghel and Himanta Biswa Sarma has brought flood relief, essential commodity prices and Assam’s political direction into sharper focus. Baghel has urged Sarma to concentrate on flood-affected residents and rising household costs, while the Assam government has pointed to multiple rounds of financial assistance for affected families.
The dispute also comes as Congress prepares for the October 6 Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election. Therefore, the latest exchange carries both governance and electoral significance. As campaigning develops, flood management, prices, illegal mining and local development are likely to remain important issues in Assam’s political debate.
FAQs
What triggered the Political War of Words between Baghel and Sarma?
Bhupesh Baghel responded to remarks by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and urged him to focus on flood relief and rising prices in Assam.
What did Bhupesh Baghel say about Assam flood relief?
Baghel questioned whether adequate relief was reaching flood-affected residents and asked the Assam government to prioritise their needs.
Has Assam distributed financial assistance to flood victims?
Yes. The Assam government has announced multiple rounds of interim assistance. On September 1, ₹25.12 crore was transferred to 16,746 families in three districts, with ₹15,000 provided to each family.
What prices did Baghel highlight?
Baghel specifically referred to petrol, diesel, cooking gas and sugar while urging the Assam government to address rising costs for residents.
When is the Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election?
The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for October 6, 2026, while counting is scheduled for October 9.