A heated exchange between Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia and state cabinet minister Jayanta Malla Baruah has ignited a political row, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to criticize the ruling party. The incident, captured on video, occurred during the inauguration of a BJP mandal office in Bahjani, Nalbari district, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma present.
The viral footage shows Saikia visibly agitated, scolding Baruah, who is the MLA of Nalbari constituency, in front of party workers and the Chief Minister. While the exact words of Saikia are unclear, sources suggest he was upset about being unable to enter the venue while Sarma, Baruah, and the mandal president were inside. Saikia reportedly questioned Baruah’s handling of the situation in his constituency.
The altercation has drawn sharp reactions from the opposition Congress, with Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah calling it a display of internal cracks within the BJP. Borah described the incident as a clash between “RSS-loyalists” and the “new guard” of the party, highlighting the growing tensions within the state BJP.
Party spokespersons have downplayed the incident, referring to it as an “internal matter.” Neither Saikia nor Baruah has commented publicly on the controversy. However, the incident has fueled speculation about underlying factionalism within the Assam BJP, particularly between long-standing RSS members and newer entrants from other political backgrounds.
As the video continues to circulate, the incident underscores the challenges faced by the BJP in maintaining unity within its ranks. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
