Congress Alleges Assam CM’s Involvement in Tea Garden Acquisitions Ahead of PM Modi’s Visit

Guwahati: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Assam, the Congress has launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him and his associates of acquiring tea gardens through coercion. Assam Congress in-charge Jitendra Singh Alwar alleged that tea garden owners in the state are facing intimidation, leading many prominent plantation owners to leave Assam.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Alwar claimed that Sarma is working to dismantle tea plantations for commercial gains. "Tea garden owners in Assam are being threatened, and the Chief Minister’s family and close associates are purchasing these estates. Several large tea companies have already exited the state," he stated.

Alwar further questioned whether Sarma’s wife had obtained the necessary permissions to operate a resort in an ecologically sensitive area. "Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife runs the Vani Green Resort in the Elephant Corridor. Has she secured the required approvals for this venture?" he asked.

Criticizing the BJP government’s governance, Alwar took a jibe at its slogan ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,’ claiming that in Assam, it has turned into ‘Modiji ka Saath, Himanta ka Vikas.’ He also accused the state administration of facilitating illegal mining operations. "While rat-hole mining is banned across the country, it is thriving in Assam under the Chief Minister’s watch. The key question is: who is benefiting from this? Are CM Sarma’s associates involved? Are members of his cabinet complicit?" he alleged.

Expanding his attack, Alwar accused Sarma of amassing a vast business empire through questionable means. He claimed that the Chief Minister owns multiple tea gardens, news portals, an international school, a McDonald’s outlet, and extensive landholdings, including in tribal areas where land acquisition is restricted. "What kind of magic lamp did Narendra Modi hand over to the Assam CM that he has transformed into a business tycoon?" Alwar remarked, questioning whether central agencies were investigating these acquisitions.

These allegations surface just as Prime Minister Modi is set to arrive in Assam today. During his visit, PM Modi will participate in a grand roadshow in Guwahati and witness a mega Jhumoir performance at Sarusajai Stadium on the evening of February 24, alongside ambassadors from 60 countries. The event will feature 8,600 artists representing 800 tea gardens.

On February 25, the Prime Minister will inaugurate ‘Advantage Assam 2.0’ at Khanapara Veterinary College field, a major infrastructure and investment summit that will see the participation of Union Ministers, industrialists, and foreign dignitaries.