'Joke is on him': Himanta Biswa Sarma reacts to Rahul Gandhi's 'jail' remark; shows 'thenga'

NEW DELHI: A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declared that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma would "go to jail" over alleged corruption, the BJP member gave a strong reply with words and a hand gesture "Thenga."

The comment came during a late-night press briefing on Thursday when he was asked about Gandhi's remarks that "Himanta Biswa Sarma will be put in jail by the people of Assam."


Replying in Assamese, Sarma said that Congress is trapped in their old ways so it is pointless to expect something new or meaningful from them.

"There is no hope for Congress to change and be better not now not ever. They are trapped in their old ways so it is pointless to expect something new or meaningful from them. And to Rahul Gandhi I just have one thing to say - Unlike him I am Assamese, born and raised in Assam. I grew up nurtured by my mother, the soul and soil of Assam. So the joke is on him," the Assam CM said.


Sarma linked Gandhi's address to Thursday morning's violent confrontation during an eviction operation at the Paikan Reserve Forest in Goalpara district. He asserted that Gandhi's statements during his Assam visit encouraged alleged encroachers to oppose forest land clearance efforts.

"Rahul Gandhi came here and encouraged encroachers to occupy government land," Sarma said. "He said they would be rehabilitated in the same location and given houses. These statements motivated people to act illegally."

The Paikan incident resulted in injuries to 21 police and forest personnel who were attacked with stones and sticks. Police response to control the situation led to one fatality, whilst two others were wounded and taken to hospital.

This dispute has emerged amidst the Assam government's continued eviction initiatives, with increased activity in forest reserves and encroached areas. Sarma maintains these evictions are essential for protecting the environment and safeguarding land.

The Congress and other opposition parties have challenged these operations' implementation and timing, suggesting the BJP government targets vulnerable groups and utilises government resources for political advantages.