Assam: BJP caught between Sonowal’s image and Sarma’s astuteness

GUWAHATI/NEW DELHI: Inner party consultations on deciding the next chief minister of Assam, with incumbent Sarbanand Sonowal and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma being in contention, is expected to be finalised soon and the party’s parliamentary board is likely to meet virtually to endorse the name.
Though Sonowal has been chief minister for the past five years and BJP has returned to office, his name was not announced while Sarma has made it clear that he expects his claim to be considered by the BJP brass.
Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar will arrive in Guwahati on Tuesday as an observer of BJP’s parliamentary board amid some discussion on the post of deputy chief minister being created for the first time in the state.
The choice is not easy as Sonowal is a popular leader with a non-controversial style. His roots in AASU politics make him an organic figure that Assamese sentiment can relate to. Sarma has proved his mettle as an astute political manager who has helped expand BJP's presence in the north-east. He is also a successful electoral campaigner.
Unlike in 2016, BJP did not name the CM face in the state this time, which has fuelled a debate on who will take the top post. Sarma has responded to queries by saying it was for the parliamentary board to decide. He has even gone on record saying that if Modi-Shah decide on a name other than him, he would not have any regrets.
Sonowal on Monday thanked all sections of people of the state belonging to Barak, Brahmaputra, hills and plains, including farmers, workers, artistes, journalists, sportspersons, academicians and employees for giving a clear mandate to the BJP-led alliance.
The CM said development had reached every nook and corner of the state while steps had been taken to curb corruption. There have been initiatives to strengthen peace and to safeguard the identity and existence of the Assamese people from illegal influx, which had significantly altered the demography of the state, especially in lower Assam, he added.
Sarma has been credited for BJP’s successful march in the north-east and was also at the forefront of the party’s campaign in Assam and in the selection of candidates.
Many of his loyalists have won the polls, giving strength to his claim for the chief minister’s chair. BJP state in-charge Baijayant Panda reached Guwahati on Monday and went straight to Sarma’s Dispur residence.