Assam CM Himanta Sarma Sets Ballot Paper Condition for Congress-Ruled States

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has proposed a controversial condition for switching to ballot paper voting, stating he would accept the change only if Congress-led governments in Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana step down. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Sarma accused these state administrations of coming to power through electoral fraud under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's tenure.

The statement came as Sarma defended the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a process that has drawn criticism from opposition parties. The Chief Minister argued that such exercises are necessary to monitor demographic changes in states like Assam, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, which he claimed are affected by illegal immigration. He called for mandatory electoral roll revisions every five years to preserve what he described as the integrity of Indian democracy.

Sarma directed sharp criticism at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party, accusing them of undermining democratic institutions. He characterized the Congress's ongoing protests against alleged electoral malpractices as being driven by a small group of what he termed "frustrated people" and "dimagi naxals." The Chief Minister further alleged that Gandhi's actions expose Indian democratic institutions to instability, comparing the situation to recent political developments in Nepal and Bangladesh.

The Assam leader claimed that the Congress's campaign against the electoral roll revision process lacks public support, with only limited participation in their demonstrations. He suggested the protests represent an attempt at regime change without genuine grassroots backing, alleging foreign influence behind the opposition's actions.