Desk Report, January 21, 2024 – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has requested Rahul Gandhi to consider visiting Batadrava Satra after the completion of the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha. Sarma expressed dissatisfaction with the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra passing through the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva on the same day as the Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha.
During a press conference, CM Sarma emphasized the importance of avoiding the perception of competition between the two significant events. He highlighted the potential clash on television screens, with both the Ram Temple ceremony and Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva’s birthplace being broadcast simultaneously. Sarma suggested that Rahul Gandhi could visit Batadrava after 2 pm or in the morning hours to avoid this overlap.
Expressing his concern, Sarma stated, “Two windows will be played together on TV showing both events, which I think will not be good for Assam.” He urged Rahul Gandhi to choose a time that does not coincide with the Pran Pratishtha event for the well-being of the state.
Furthermore, CM Sarma noted that the Nyay Yatra rally had not been invited by the Satra Samiti. He also shared his disappointment with the chosen date for Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Batadrava Satra, stating, “I am feeling a little bit pained after Rahul Gandhi chose January 22 as the day for visiting Batadrava Satra.”
Addressing the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Sarma confirmed that he had previously expressed concerns on January 19th, 2024, when the yatra reached Majuli island in Assam. He had discouraged the yatra from passing through Guwahati, citing the city’s medical facilities, and indicated that an alternative route could be permitted if requested.
CM Sarma warned of potential consequences if the Congress proceeded to Guwahati without permission, mentioning the possibility of filing a case later and arresting two individuals involved in the rally. The Assam Police had already registered an FIR against the yatra for deviating from the permitted route in Jorhat town, despite Congress leaders’ allegations of attempts to derail the yatra.
The yatra, spanning 833 km across 17 districts in Assam, is set to continue for another six days, as per senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, who dismissed CM Sarma’s concerns as an attempt to undermine the positive response the yatra had received in the state.
