The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise peaceful rallies across Assam from October 13 to 31 to counter what Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has described as attempts by the Congress to undermine democratic institutions and challenge electoral mandates.
Announcing the campaign at a media briefing in Guwahati on Monday, Sarma said the rallies would be held at district headquarters across the state. The announcement comes amid growing tensions between the BJP and Congress over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission of India.
Sarma accused the Congress of attempting to pressure constitutional institutions, shielding illegal immigrants by opposing the SIR exercise and undermining the democratic mandate of the people.
Sarma accuses Congress of targeting constitutional institutions
The Assam chief minister alleged that the Congress was attempting to weaken institutions such as the Election Commission and the Supreme Court for political reasons.
“ These kinds of attempts by Congress to undermine constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission, the Supreme Court, and others will not be tolerated. People of Assam should oppose such tactics to hurt the nation under the instigation of foreign sources,” Sarma said.
He added that the rallies were intended to demonstrate support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and counter the Congress and other opposition parties.
“In order to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to oppose the tactics by Congress and other opposition parties, we will conduct peaceful rallies in all district headquarters of Assam to strengthen democratic institutions,” he said.
Sarma also accused the Congress of attempting to shield illegal immigrants by opposing the SIR process, which is aimed at revising electoral rolls. The allegations form part of the wider political dispute over the exercise and its implications for voter lists.
Rahul Gandhi accused of double standards
Earlier on Monday, Sarma targeted Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in a post on X, accusing him of attacking the foundations of Indian democracy.
Sarma alleged that the Congress applied different standards to election results depending on whether the party won or lost.
“Their double standard is plain to see. When Shri Narendra Modiji is elected Prime Minister, Rahul Gandhi calls it manipulation, yet his own election to parliament and his subsequent elevation as Leader of the Opposition are beyond question. When Assam votes, the result is unacceptable; when Kerala votes, it is welcomed. Democracy, for the Congress, is valid only when it delivers victory for the Congress,” he wrote.
The chief minister also criticised Gandhi's decision to march towards the Supreme Court after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting with opposition leaders.
“Now, by marching to the Supreme Court despite the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India declining a meeting, Rahul Gandhi seeks to turn political pressure on the highest court of our land. Constitutional institutions cannot be made answerable to a party’s electoral frustrations,” Sarma said.
Rallies amid row over electoral roll revision
The BJP's planned mobilisation comes as the Congress and other opposition parties have intensified their criticism of the Election Commission over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. Opposition leaders have demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns over electoral transparency.
The decision by the Chief Justice of India to decline a meeting with opposition leaders has also become part of the political dispute. The Chief Justice said a meeting on the issues raised would be inappropriate, with matters concerning the Election Commission and related concerns already being addressed through judicial processes.
The BJP's rallies across Assam are expected to take the political confrontation beyond Delhi, with the ruling party seeking to defend the electoral revision exercise and challenge the Congress's allegations against constitutional institutions.