Kharge Calls Assam CM ‘Chela’ Of PM As Congress Demands Probe Into Alleged Attack On Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

On Sunday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the governing BJP in Assam, driven by fear over the triumph of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, reportedly assaulted the State PCC chief without apparent cause.

During the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam’s Sonitpur district on Sunday, Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah was assaulted, and the car of central leader Jairam Ramesh became a target of alleged attacks. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma a ‘chela’ or disciple of PM Narendra Modi and questioned why such attacks happen in this state.

The incident has prompted the party to demand a judicial inquiry, accusing a BJP MLA and supporters of being involved.

How did Kharge react?

On Sunday, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the governing BJP in Assam, driven by fear over the triumph of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, reportedly assaulted the State PCC chief without apparent cause.

Kharge said the party’s first Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022-23 had passed through several BJP-ruled states but “no stone was hurled” at it.

He also hit out at Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, equating him with a cat that meows at its owner, referring to the BJP leader’s entry into politics through the Congress.

Addressing a rally in Nagaon district as part of the yatra, Kharge reportedly said, “No stone was hurled during the first yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. No one tried to threaten us even though we crossed many BJP-ruled states.”

“Even in Nagpur, which has the RSS headquarters, lakhs of people joined us and there was no incident,” he said.

According to PTI, Kharge said, “Why is it happening in Assam? It is happening here because (prime minister Narendra) Modi ji’s ‘chela’ (disciple), who blindly listens to his ‘sahab’ (boss).”

He also reportedly stated, “Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra is going on so well. Seeing this, the BJP people are nervous. So, they attacked our PCC president. But he is not someone who would get scared. He is a soldier of the Congress. Congress is not going to be scared of anyone…This is like ‘meri billi mujhse hi myaoon’. The cat that we once had with us is now meowing at us. We have seen several such people…We will never be scared, this is Congress’ promise”.

What happened with Assam Congress chief?

According to Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) spokesperson Bedabrata Bora, a mob intercepted Borah’s car as he was en route to join the yatra’s main entourage after a brief break.

Bora stated, “As the mob came in front of his convoy, our president stepped out of his car to see what was happening. He was punched on the nose, which left him bleeding.” Another party worker, Hriday Das, sustained serious injuries and is currently hospitalized.

Despite the assault, Borah, after receiving first aid, continued with his scheduled programs, including attending a public rally as part of the yatra. Bora alleged the involvement of people attending a BJP program in the area, suspecting a BJP MLA’s hand in the incident.

The party has officially demanded a judicial inquiry into the attack on Borah. Bedabrata Bora added, “We strongly condemn the incident and want an immediate inquiry. We suspect the hand of a BJP MLA in the incident and don’t have faith in a police probe only. We want a judicial inquiry.”

What happened with Jairam Ramesh?

In a parallel incident, Jairam Ramesh’s vehicle was allegedly attacked, and reporters accompanying the yatra were assaulted by unknown individuals. AICC communications coordinator Mahima Singh reported, “Ramesh ji’s car and some others were moving to join the main yatra entourage near Jamugurighat when it came under attack.”

Jairam Ramesh, in a post, accused an “unruly BJP crowd” of tearing off yatra stickers, throwing water, and shouting anti-yatra slogans.

Responding to Ramesh’s post, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma instructed the police to launch an investigation, stating, “Pl register a case and enquire into the allegations @gpsinghips @DGPAssamPolice.” Director General of Police GP Singh confirmed their commitment to lawful action in response to the CM’s directive.

During a press conference in Assam’s Biswanath Chariali, Ramesh, who is accompanying Gandhi, said, “The problem is that the CM here loses his mental balance whenever he hears the name of Congress and Rahul Gandhi. What more can I say about it.”

He claimed that Sarma was ‘rattled’ from the first day of the yatra in the state after women, who had purportedly gathered at a government function, came forward to welcome Gandhi and clicked photos with him.

“Since then, he has been agitated and rattled and finds one excuse or the other to create problems. There was an FIR in Jorhat, route permission issues in Guwahati, among others,” he said.

“I have to again say, the first Bharat Jodo Yatra had travelled through four BJP-ruled states, but there were no major issues. Nowhere has the yatra been targeted by any CM as here. It is our first experience. Problems are being created every hour,” the Congress leader said.

Courtesy : Outlook India

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