Assam CM Spars With Opposition Candidate Over Mother's Posts
Assam CM Spars With Opposition Candidate Over Mother's Posts
In a heated Assam campaign moment, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma targets Kunki Chowdhury's mother over social media posts, triggering sharp backlash from the opposition.
In a blistering moment on the campaign trail, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma targeted Kunki Chowdhury, the 27-year-old opposition candidate from Guwahati Central, by pointing to social media posts attributed to her mother. He claimed Sujata Gurung Chowdhury had shared images and messages related to beef consumption and had made remarks that, in his view, offended Sanatani sentiments. He showed one such post on his phone while addressing supporters during a campaign stop in Khowang, where a rival leader was also campaigning.
Sarma argued that while he did not object to the mother personally, the posts suggested a challenge to the Sanatani audience and allegedly connected her to controversial figures who sparked debates about the Chicken’s Neck corridor, a reference tied to comments circulated by opponents. He stated that Chowdhury's mother is from Sikkim, and asserted, “We do not have a problem with that. But she has shared many photos of eating beef on Instagram... She is challenging the Sanatani people.”
The remarks triggered a sharp response from the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), which is contesting the Assembly polls in alliance with the Congress and four other parties. AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of resorting to Hindu-Muslim rhetoric and said he had no reply to questions raised by the opposition. The party insisted that personal family matters should not anchor a campaign and urged candidates to focus on issues facing Assam.
Kunki Chowdhury, a 27-year-old first-time candidate, is contesting from Guwahati Central against BJP veteran Vijay Kumar Gupta. Her entry has been presented as part of a newer generation stepping into a high-stakes electoral fight in the state. The episode underscores how personal narratives and social-media allegations are intertwining with policy debates as the election gathers momentum across Assam. Observers note that such exchanges can shape voter perceptions, for better or worse, depending on how candidates respond and whether substantive issues remain in focus.
As campaigns intensify, the incident raises questions about the boundary between personal family posts and political discourse, and whether voters will prize policy proposals over personal controversy in this crucial electoral contest.
