So, when people thought BJP’s Assam story is over after CAA, Himanta rises

Only a month ago, the state of Assam had slipped into widespread violence, following the passage of CAA in the Parliament. In fact, ever since the Amendment Bill came up for discussion in the Parliament, a massive misinformation campaign had taken hold of Assam. The purpose of such rumour mills was to create xenophobic fears and misconceptions that the proposed legislation is against the interests of the indigenous people of the state and the Assam Accord. It was being alleged that it would facilitate the permanent settlement of those who have entered the region.

Apart from the indigenous groups, who want to rid Assam of all ‘outsiders’ including Bengali Hindus through the NRC, which also explains their opposition to the CAA, there was also a second line of protests initiated by groups like AAMSU which do not want the NRC to take effect in Assam, and AIUDF, which has been alleged to make a vote bank out of Bangladeshi Muslims, had also joined the protests. The AIUDF has even drawn fire for its sympathy towards the Muslim illegal immigrants in the past.

The result of the protests however was the fact that Assam remained on the boil for quite some time, witnessing protests, curfews, violence, arson and even lives were lost.

Not so long ago, it was being said and largely believed that an essential political repercussion of the anti CAA protests and violence was an anti-BJP sentiment in the state of Assam.

In fact, BJP ally in the state, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) announced last month that it would oppose the Citizenship Amendment legislation and fight for the rights of the indigenous people while staying in government.

However, the fears of an anti-BJP sentiment creeping into the state of Assam have substantially dissipated following a massive ‘Sankalpa rally’ held by Assam Health, Finance and Education Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma at Bokahat on Friday.

The massive rally addressed by BJP’s key person, Himanta Biswa Sarma drew massive crowds. The humongous crowds show that there were gross miscalculations in the assessment of the political repercussions of CAA in Assam. In fact, BJP’s popularity doesn’t seem to have receded at all.

Not only the Bokahat rally, but even the Dhemaji ‘peace’ rally held by the Assam Finance Minister in Dhemaji in Upper Assam had drawn a massive crowd. During this rally, Sarma had taken a sharp dig at the Congress arguing that 90 per cent of the Congress MLAs from Assam who are Indian citizens have Bangladeshi ancestors.

In fact, Himanta Biswa Sarma is the one who ensured that the BJP was able to steer clear of the anti CAA violence. After the anti CAA violence took grip of the state, there were reports about BJP leaders harbouring worries about the political fallout of the move. However, the man who mattered the most maintained his composure throughout the crisis and kept supporting the CAA.

Shortly after the passage of CAA, Himanta Biswa Sarma had joined the Nalbari ‘peace & prosperity” march along with other senior party leaders and Assam CM, Sarbananda Sonowal.

Ever since the passage of the CAA, Sarma reached out to the people of the state in order to take on the rumour mills that had started operating in full flow. Debunking the misinformation campaign against CAA, he had said, “The Citizenship Act was amended not to dilute the spirit of the Assam Accord but to address some of its unresolved issues.”

The Assam Minister had also assured that no more than 5 lakh refugees would be eligible to apply for citizenship under the CAA. He also set the record straight by making it clear that no new refugees would come from Bangladesh, and made it clear that he would resign from politics if more than the stipulated number applied for citizenship.

Himanta’s outreach to the people of Assam, whereby he resolved all apprehensions against the Amendment legislation seems to have nullified the effect of a massive anti CAA campaign that was orchestrated in the state.

It was being propagated that BJP’s popularity had suggested a serious dent after the CAA. However, the manner in which crowds are thronging Himanta’s rallies makes it clear that the BJP has not suffered any great prejudice owing to anti CAA protests in Assam.