Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said the visit of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to Assam which coincided with the Ram temple consecration ceremony was ill timed.
Sarma suggested that while Gandhi may have observed a “glimpse of good governance” in Assam, his choice to visit the religiously sensitive district of Nagaon on such a significant day was deemed ill-timed and inappropriate.
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Sarma pointed out the contrast between Gandhi’s attendance at the ceremony in Nagaon and his refusal of the invitation to the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, questioning the rationale behind Gandhi’s actions.
“On a day when the Ram Temple consecration ceremony is occurring, and in a satra where approximately 5,000 people will witness the consecration, Rahul Gandhi chooses to visit despite declining the invitation to Ayodhya. How does one justify this?” Sarma queried.
Emphasising the district’s religious sensitivity and the potential for conflict, Sarma suggested that Gandhi should have reconsidered his visit, especially on a day of such religious significance.
“Rahul Gandhi ought not to have visited Assam on January 22, at the very least… he should have avoided the visit to Assam on February 22, given the situation in the state,” Sarma remarked.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the state’s resilience on that day, implying that the visit could have led to conflict if not for the steadfast governance in place.
“We demonstrated robust and effective governance… should he visit again, we will demonstrate even stronger and more effective governance,” Sarma asserted.