Rahul Gandhi attacks Himanta, alleges ‘land ATM’ for corporates in Assam

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Himanta Biswa Sarma, calling him the “most corrupt chief minister” in India and alleging that he, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home minister Amit Shah, is running a “land ATM” in Assam to benefit big corporates.

Addressing an election rally in support of Congress candidate Raton Engti in Bokajan, Rahul Gandhi alleged that large tracts of land were being taken from the public and handed over to industrialists. He claimed that around 98,400 bighas had already been transferred to three major corporate groups.

“They snatch land from the people and give it to big industrialists. Modi, Shah and Himanta have turned Assam into a land ATM,” he said, adding that a Congress government would take action against the chief minister.

Rahul Gandhi also raised the issue of the death of noted Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, who died in Singapore last year, and promised justice within 100 days if the Congress comes to power. He described Garg as a symbol of Assam’s plural identity, representing its multicultural and multi-religious fabric.

On governance, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of centralising power and attempting to run Assam from New Delhi. In contrast, he said the Congress supports decentralisation and pledged to fully implement Article 244(A) of the Constitution, ensuring greater autonomy for regions such as Karbi Anglong and other Sixth Schedule areas.

The Congress leader also criticised the India-US trade deal, alleging it favours the United States by lowering tariffs on American goods and opening Indian markets.

In a controversial remark, Rahul Gandhi claimed that US President Donald Trump exerts influence over Modi, referring to the “Epstein files”, and alleged that legal cases had been filed against industrialist Gautam Adani in the United States.

The rally marked an escalation in political rhetoric ahead of the elections, with land rights, governance, and Centre-state relations emerging as key campaign themes in Assam.

With PTI inputs