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Assam Political Clash Deepens as Sarma Sets Feb. 8 Briefing, Plans Feb. 9 Suits Over Congress Land-Grab Allegations

Absent independent evidence, the dispute rests on rival assertions ahead of set dates.

Overview

  • Congress president Gaurav Gogoi alleges Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s family controls about 12,000 bighas of land across Assam and launches the Who Is HBS drive to crowdsource documents via a website, QR code and helpline.
  • APCC officials say the new site displayed an unexpected “HBS 2.0” message during the press event, which they describe as interference with the launch.
  • Sarma denies the accusations and says he will file civil and criminal defamation cases on February 9 against Gogoi, Jitendra Singh, Bhupesh Baghel and Debabrata Saikia.
  • BJP representatives cite land-ceiling rules that cap an individual’s holding at 50 bighas and urge Congress to substantiate its claims in court.
  • The chief minister alleges members of Gogoi’s family have bank accounts in Pakistan and schedules a February 8 press conference after a cabinet discussion, while labeling the Congress headquarters an “anti-Assamese hub” and pressing the party on its stance toward indigenous communities.