Congress’ dynastic politics led to defeat in Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma

BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrates party’s performance in the recently concluded Assam Assembly polls in Guwahati, on May 19, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

New Delhi – A former Congressman turned BJP poll strategist in Assam on Thursday said the dynastic politics of the opposition party led to its defeat in the north-eastern state.

The Congress also needs to do some introspection and change its style of functioning, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma told a television channel.

“The Congress is run on a concession basis. (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi made Rahul Gandhi the party vice president not because of merit but he is her son. Similarly, Rahul conceded some ground to Assam chief minister (Tarun Gogoi),” he said.

“This culture of concession starts from 10 Janpath and goes down to the panchayat level. As many as 34 of the 126 Congress candidates in Assam were sons and daughters of big politicians,” he added.

Sarma, a minister in the Tarun Gogoi-led government in Assam, left the Congress following conflict with the chief minister and joined the BJP in 2015.

“Rahul Gandhi should make the Congress a normal opposition. To keep the party growing, he has to change. This is a clear message. He is no god, and should not behave like one,” the BJP leader said.

“You (Rahul Gandhi) became the Congress vice president because you are the son of Sonia Gandhi. You made Gaurav Gogoi an MP over and above the normal ‘karyakarta’ of the Congress because he is the son of Tarun Gogoi. This politics has been rejected by the people of India,” the BJP leader added.

“That is why (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi is the hero of Indian politics because he is not of ‘blue blood’. He has got to the top from a normal position.”

“I once asked Rahul Gandhi he must step down and fight elections like normal party workers and then become our master. He had no answer! I told him If the Youth Congress elections are for normal ‘karyakartas’ (party workers), why not for him? He had no answer! When he had no answer, he started playing with his dog. That is how he wants to run the party,” said Sarma.