Himanta’s untold story: This story started when Tarun Gogoi became the CM of Assam for the last time or rather for the third consecutive time in May 2011. At the same time, Himanta Biswa Sarma, considered the Chanakya of Congress, had realized that staying in Congress was not going to do him any good. Although, he was a minister of many important ministries in the Gogoi cabinet, his stature had become so big that he started considering himself a contender for the post of CM. In such a situation, he was upset when Tarun Gogoi became CM for the third time in 2011 with the blessings of the Gandhi family. At the same time, he joined the campaign to make himself the CM. He started this campaign quietly. In the year 2015, he ended it by joining BJP and he became a game changer for BJP in Assam. Presently he is the CM of the state. The election campaign is at its peak and on April 9, voting will be held on all the seats there to form the new government. Come, let us know what is the story of Himanta Biswa Sarma becoming the Chanakya of Congress to the gamechanger of BJP.
There is no detailed information about this story in any of his books. In such a situation, many books provide references to understand this entire story. Among these, Sanjib Baruah’s ‘In the Name of Nation’ gives the background of the political changes in the North-East, while Sanjaya Baru’s The Accidental Prime Minister tells how BJP brought regional leaders into its fold. The biggest example in this is Himanta Biswa Sarma himself. Apart from this, Ajit Dutta’s book Himanta Biswa Sarma: From Boy Wonder to CM connects this change with his personal political journey.
Was Jorhat’s ‘Boy Wonder’ a power player from day one?
In these books, it is mentioned about Assam Congress and BJP that 49-year-old Himanta Biswa Sharma, born in Jorhat, Assam, entered the electoral fray from Jalukbari seat of Assam in 2001 and was re-elected as a member of the Congress Party in 2006 and 2011. in politics Himanta Biswa Sarma We are of the opinion that ambition is important but respect is equally important and the most important thing is to take the right decision at the right time. Himanta did not just change the party, he studied the mathematics of power. And this political understanding made him from “Chanakya of Congress” to “Gamechanger of BJP”. Amit Shah’s role in this was important behind the scenes.
However, after the Assam Assembly elections held in 2016, BJP’s Sarbananda Sonowal took over as the Chief Minister on 24 May 2016, but Himanta got the responsibility of the entire North East.
Actually, this story started from Dispur in Bengal. That time was between the year 2014–15. Congress was still in power in Assam, but everything was changing internally. The Chief Minister was Tarun Gogoi, a three-time experienced leader and a face in his own cabinet, who gradually started considering himself bigger than the ‘system’, was Himanta Biswa Sarma. This story is not just about changing parties. This is a story of ambition, humiliation, and making the right move at the right time.
Himanta Biswa Sarma became MLA for the first time from Jalukbari seat in 2001. At that time Congress was dominant under the leadership of Tarun Gogoi. Himanta proved himself different from the very beginning, he was not just a speech-giving leader but a ‘delivery’ minister. Big departments like health, education and finance came to him. But his real strength was electoral mathematics. His nuanced understanding from booth to power soon made him the most trusted strategist of Congress. This was the reason why he came to be called “Chanakya of Congress”.
Did his ‘I am the system’ image create problems for him?
The period from 2001 to 2014 was the golden period of power and influence for Himanta. His role was visible in every election strategy. But from here a new problem also started, that problem was his increasing political power. Many leaders within the party started feeling that Himanta had started considering himself bigger than the system.
His working style was aggressive, decisions were swift and ambitions clear. He did not just want to be a minister, but wanted to reach the pinnacle of power.
But in Congress politics the balance of position and power changes gradually. There was bound to be a clash between Himanta’s enthusiasm and the traditional thinking of the party. This conflict later turned into a deep political rift.
Did Congress’s defeat in 2014 give rise to ‘revolt’ within them?
The 2014 Lok Sabha elections were a big setback for the Congress. The party was out of power at the national level and its influence weakened in Assam also. Himanta considered this not just a defeat but “an opportunity to reset”. He suggested that the leadership in the state should be changed, new energy and a new face should be brought. But the question of changing the leadership of Tarun Gogoi was not raised. There was a clear signal from the Gandhi family from Delhi – “Status Quo” will remain.
From here the dissatisfaction within Himanta started deepening. He felt that despite his hard work and strategy, he was not getting the recognition and place he deserved. In politics, sometimes “ego injury” brings a bigger change than defeat and this is what happened for Himanta.
Is meeting Rahul Gandhi turning? point Was?
A meeting in Delhi became one of the most talked about stories of Indian politics. Himanta came to meet Rahul Gandhi with his complaint. After that an incident came to light in media reports. He had said that during the meeting, Rahul Gandhi was feeding biscuits to his dog, while Himanta was presenting his views.
It can be debated whether this incident was purely fact or symbol, but it was an emotional shock for Himanta. Later he himself said that that day he realized that he had no place in Congress.
There is one more thing to be understood here. Respect is a big factor in politics. Sometimes a small incident destroys a relationship that lasts for years. This was the moment that sowed the seed in Himanta’s mind to choose a “different path” from the party.
Was the ‘Silent Move’ of 2015 the biggest turn in Assam politics?
Himanta did not hurry. He decided his steps like a strategic player. First he prepared a strong group of MLAs with him. Gradually he loosened his grip within the Congress and started looking for alternatives. In 2015, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. This was not just a change of party of one leader, but a shift of the entire power structure of Assam politics.
BJP was not strong in Assam at that time, but Himanta saw possibilities in it. He had understood that Congress was weakening and BJP was rising. This “decision taken at the right time” makes him a game changer.
Did Amit Shah make him the greatest strategist of the North-East?
BJP recognized Himanta’s potential and as soon as he joined the party, made him not just a leader but a strategic commander. By giving him the responsibility of North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), he was given the task of expanding the party in the entire North-East. Himanta formed alliances with regional parties, sorted out caste equations and brought BJP to power in Assam for the first time in the 2016 elections. There were many faces behind this victory, but Himanta was considered to be the real architect behind the curtain. It was from here that he became known as “BJP’s gamechanger”.
From kingmaker to king: What is the real lesson of this story?
Sarbananda Sonowal became the Chief Minister in the year 2016, but it was common discussion in political circles that the real power lies with Himanta. Assembly elections were held in Assam in 2021. BJP came to power for the second time, but after this the face of the CM changed. Himanta took over as Chief Minister, Sonowal was made a minister at the Centre. This was the result of a long strategic journey.
Once after five years, the political temperature is at its peak regarding the Assam Assembly elections. Everyone’s eyes are on whether Himanta Biswa Sarma will be able to single-handedly give BJP a hat-trick of election victory in Assam? Will he become the CMA of Assam for the second time? Youth leader of Congress and son of former CM Tarun Gogoi, Gaurav Gogoi, will be able to defeat in the elections. The answer to this question will be known only after the election results come, but in the current situation, CM Sarma seems to have the upper hand.
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