Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has launched scathing remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his suitability for the Prime Ministerial role. Sarma's comments came in response to queries about Gandhi's potential candidacy for Prime Minister, to which he retorted, "Rahul Gandhi is the best candidate for Pappu."

Further delving into the criticism, Sarma took aim at the Congress party's election manifesto, suggesting that it favoured Pakistan's interests over India's. He remarked, "Congress party has been prepared in a way that they can win an election in Pakistan. We have read the manifesto and after reading we concluded that this manifesto is more for Pakistan and less for India."

Challenging the Congress party directly, Sarma asserted, “The Congress party has made a manifesto that will snatch resources from the common people and they will destroy the economy of this country. So, we have interpreted the Congress manifesto in the most right way and correct way and I will challenge them to come for a public debate to show that this manifesto is nothing but appeasement."

The Congress party unveiled its 'Nyay Patr' (election manifesto) for the upcoming Lok Sabha 2024 elections on April 5.

Reflecting on the Prime Minister's recent speech, Sarma echoed support, stating that the PM's remarks are accurate. Every citizen has a rightful claim to this country's resources. He further said that while Dr. Manmohan Singh previously suggested a specific community's priority, our stance, including the PM's, is that resources belong to all communities—Hindus, Muslims, Christians, SCs, STs, OBCs, alike.

Directing the onus back to the Congress, Sarma urged them to clarify their stance, stating, " Now it's for the Congress to explain why they have said that the resources of the country have the first right to a particular community. It's the Congress party that should reply, not us."

Sarma's strong rebuke follows Prime Minister Modi's recent critique of the Congress's manifesto, where he accused them of proposing to seize "the gold of mothers and sisters" for redistribution. PM Modi's remarks referenced former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's 2006 statement favouring minority communities' access to resources.

The exchange underscores escalating political tensions ahead of the forthcoming elections, with parties engaging in sharp rhetoric and ideological confrontations.