Nagaon: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday responded to Congress MP Rakibul Hussain’s biryani remark during a campaign rally ahead of the October 6 Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll.
Sarma said, “Those who are born to drink mother’s milk are human beings, and those born to eat biryani are animals,” while addressing a public meeting at Juria.
The exchange follows a series of remarks between Sarma and Hussain during the bypoll campaign. Sarma had earlier referred to an opposition leader as “Bakasura”, a mythological figure associated with a large appetite, and accused him of misusing funds meant for government schemes. Hussain subsequently responded sarcastically by saying that God had sent him into the world to eat biryani.
Sarma also targeted Congress MLA Nurul Huda over development in the Rupohihat Assembly constituency, which falls under the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat. He alleged that development works and delivery of government schemes had not progressed adequately in the area.
The chief minister also campaigned for BJP candidate Debasish Sharma and claimed that voters who had previously supported Congress in some areas had shifted their view. Sarma said he believed the BJP would perform strongly in the bypoll. Such statements are campaign claims and are not an established election outcome.
Sarma further advised AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal to retire from active politics and suggested that one of his sons could take over his political responsibilities. He also alleged that Congress and AIUDF were working together, a claim that has not been independently established.
The Nagaon Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled for October 6, with counting of votes on October 9. The seat became vacant after former Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi resigned and subsequently joined the BJP before winning the Dispur Assembly seat.
