Responding to a question on whether Assam plans schemes similar to Bihar’s direct benefit programmes, Sarma argued that electoral trends in his state cannot be altered through cash transfers. He recounted an interaction with a Muslim constituent who praised his work yet said he would not support him at the ballot box.
Sarma highlighted what he described as demographic pressures in Assam. He claimed the Muslim population had risen to 38% in 2021 and could reach 40% by 2027, warning that a further rise would challenge Assam’s cultural identity. He said census trends showed a 45% increase in the Muslim population every decade since 1961.
He added that while sections of Miya Muslims and Muslim women engage positively with the government, their voting preference remains unchanged. “Even if all Muslim votes go to Congress, our government will still return to power,” he said, referring to the BJP-led alliance’s performance in the 2021 Assembly elections, where it secured 75 of 126 seats.
Sarma’s remarks follow a series of recent political statements delivered outside Assam. At events in Bihar last month, he urged Hindu voters to remain united and accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of depending on “infiltrators” for electoral gains comments he later clarified were directed at undocumented immigrants.
The Chief Minister has also defended the state’s decision to restrict the issuance of new Aadhaar cards for adults, a move aimed at preventing illegal migrants from acquiring identity documents.
Assam heads to Assembly elections in 2026, with all major parties beginning early preparations for the statewide contest.
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