Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Campaigns in Muslim-Majority Nagaon During Second Phase of Polling

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigned in the Muslim-dominated Nagaon district during the second phase of polling in Assam on April 26, 2024. Despite the BJP's perceived communal agenda, Sarma was able to connect with the Bangla-speaking Muslim voters by highlighting the benefits they have received from welfare schemes under his administration.

Sarma interacted with the crowd, danced and sang with them, and pledged further development, including a cold storage facility, a hospital, and a stadium. The people trusted Sarma's promises due to his delivery track record in the state. His approach in these Muslim-majority areas was seen as a new experiment that could provide a healthy campaign paradigm for the rest of India.

In his campaign speech in Samaguri under the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency, Sarma questioned the Congress party's claims and asked the audience if they had faced any issues in performing their religious practices, such as offering namaz, celebrating Eid, or observing Roja, during the BJP's tenure. This shift in Sarma's approach has raised questions about whether this strategy will help the BJP gain the elusive Muslim votes in these constituencies.

Why this matters: The Nagaon constituency has become a Muslim-majority seat after delimitation, making the Muslim vote crucial. Sarma's campaign in the area marks a shift from his earlier stance of not seeking votes in Muslim-dominated regions, signaling a potential change in the BJP's strategy to secure votes from the minority community.

The Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency will witness a three-way contest between the BJP's Suresh Borah, the Congress's Pradyut Bordoloi, and the AIUDF's Aminul Islam. Bordoloi, the incumbent MP, has accused the BJP of trying to polarize the constituency and ignoring real issues affecting people's daily lives. The outcome of the Nagaon seat will be crucial in determining the overall <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/lok-sabha/story/lok-sabha-election-2024-nowgong-nagaon-ass

Key Takeaways

• Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigned in Muslim-dominated Nagaon district.
• Sarma connected with Bangla-speaking Muslim voters by highlighting welfare scheme benefits.
• Nagaon constituency has become Muslim-majority after delimitation, making Muslim votes crucial.
• Sarma's campaign in the area marks a shift from his earlier stance of not seeking Muslim votes.
• Nagaon Lok Sabha seat will witness a three-way contest between BJP, Congress, and AIUDF.