Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, made a satirical remark on Sunday regarding the INDI alliance, stating that while the bloc remains intact, it may not be on Earth, but perhaps on the Moon and Sun.
His comment follows recent assertions by the Congress party suggesting that the INDIA bloc would surpass the halfway mark of 272 in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Sarma remarked, “The INDI alliance persists, though not visible on Earth, possibly existing on the Moon and Sun. On Earth, the presence of many parties like TMC and Janata Dal United isn’t evident. Hence, with our ordinary vision, we may not perceive the INDI alliance. Nonetheless, it might endure in the realms beyond, beyond the grasp of our naked eyes.”
Additionally, Sarma emphasized that the people of Assam and India will approach the forthcoming elections with assurance and a strong sense of identity, refraining from a defensive stance but actively engaging in the electoral process.
“The people of Assam and India won’t approach this election defensively. We’ll participate with the conviction that our identity is not in crisis at present. Of course, it might differ after 20 years. Therefore, this election will witness Assamese people participating with complete freedom,” he asserted.
Assam, a pivotal northeastern state in India, comprises 14 Lok Sabha constituencies. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Assam are slated to be held across three phases, with polling scheduled for April 19, April 26, and May 7.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured 7 out of the 14 seats in Assam. Subsequently, during the 2019 elections, the BJP increased its tally to 9 seats, while the Congress retained its three seats, and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) won one seat.