Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrated the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s decisive victory in the Samaguri Assembly constituency, ending the Congress’s 24-year dominance in the region. BJP candidate Diplu Ranjan Sarma secured the seat with a significant margin of 26,200 votes against Congress rival Tanzil Hussain.
Highlights of the Victory
- Breaking a Long-Standing Hold: The Congress had held the Samaguri seat for over two decades, making this win a significant political milestone for the BJP in Assam.
- Impact of Minority Votes: Despite the constituency having 65-70% minority voters, the BJP emerged victorious, which Chief Minister Sarma highlighted as a “special victory.”
- Margin of Victory: Diplu Ranjan Sarma claimed the seat with a commanding margin, further consolidating the BJP’s influence in the state.
Reaction and Analysis
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his remarks, attributed the victory to the party’s policies of “appeasement to none, justice for all,” aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas (Together with all, development for all, trust of all).
He also emphasized the importance of this win in eroding the Congress’s traditional stronghold and credited the BJP’s strategic outreach and robust campaigning for the turnaround.
Context
The BJP’s victory in Samaguri signals a shift in voter sentiment in a region previously loyal to Congress, where Tanzil Hussain, the son of veteran leader Rakibul Hussain, was expected to retain the seat. This win underscores the BJP’s expanding footprint in Assam and its ability to make inroads into minority-dominated constituencies.
The by-election result is being seen as a testament to the BJP’s growing grassroots support and its efforts to redefine traditional voting patterns in Assam.
