‘Loot lo, loot lo,’ a man yells while recording scenes after a truck toppled in Andhra Pradesh’s Nellore. His video is now going viral, sparking discussions online over ‘insensitivity’. But what exactly happened? The truck was loaded with bottles of cold drinks (primarily bottles of Thums
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Big price drop on 4K smart TVs: Up to 60% off on Samsung, Sony, LG and moreSmart TVs on Amazon are seeing noticeable price drops, making it easier to upgrade to sharper visuals
NRI installs Statue of Liberty replica atop Jalandhar home after 26 years in New YorkAn NRI installed a Statue of Liberty replica on his Jalandhar home, drawing visitors and going viral online. Published on: Mar 22, 2026 7:39 AM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link A unique
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “biggest infiltrator” and reiterated her criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government in connection with the special intensive revision of voter rolls, PTI reported
Meet Team USA's ‘giantkillers’ who handed Tom Brady, Joe Burrow brutal losses in Fanatics Flag Football Published on: Mar 22, 2026 4:11 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link U.S. National Flag team's Isaiah Calhoun reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Wildcats FFC (AP) Key
The Great Assam Migration: How Himanta Biswa Sarma Is Hollowing Out The Congress
The Great Assam Migration: How Himanta Biswa Sarma Is Hollowing Out The Congress
In the high-stakes arena of the 2026 Assam assembly elections, observers say Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has deployed a political strategy that is as audacious as it is effective: dismantling the Congress party by absorbing its most influential DNA. On March 19, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled its first list of 88 candidates, revealing a roster heavily populated by former Congress stalwarts. BJP sources say this “Congress-mukt" (Congress-free) mission is being achieved not just by defeating the opposition at the polls but also by systematically hollowing it out from within.
The most significant jolt to the Congress came just days before the candidate announcement with the high-profile defection of Pradyut Bordoloi. A sitting Member of Parliament from Nagaon and a veteran with roots in the Congress dating back to 1975, Bordoloi was immediately rewarded with a BJP ticket for the prestigious Dispur constituency. His exit was not an isolated incident; it followed the February defection of Bhupen Kumar Borah, the former president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).
By securing Borah, the BJP has effectively neutralised one of the Congress’s most recognisable faces among the indigenous Khilanjia community. Borah has been fielded from the Bihpuria seat, a move strategists believe could swing the tide in nearly 45 assembly segments across Upper and North Assam, where his influence remains potent.
Sarma’s strategy targets the core pillars of the Congress’s regional strength. The BJP’s 2026 list features several other former Congress MLAs, including Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha, Sashi Kanta Das, and Sushanta Borgohain. Purkayastha, a key voice from the Barak Valley, has been fielded from Katigorah, while Sashi Kanta Das seeks to retain the Raha seat under the saffron banner.
This systematic absorption serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it provides the BJP with ready-made winners who possess deep-rooted local networks. Secondly, it leaves the remaining Congress leadership, led by APCC president Gaurav Gogoi, in a state of perpetual defensive manoeuvring. With veteran leaders citing “humiliation" and “suffocation" as reasons for their exit, Sarma has successfully branded the Congress as a sinking ship where “self-respecting" leaders can no longer survive.
Beyond individual defections, Sarma is using these “Congress imports" to sharpen the BJP’s identity-based appeal. By bringing in leaders like Bhupen Borah, the BJP is solidifying its hold over the Hindu Assamese vote bank, particularly in areas where the Congress historically held sway. This is complemented by the Chief Minister’s aggressive rhetoric on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the “illegal infiltration" narrative, which forces the Congress into a corner regarding its own minority voter base.
Sarma’s approach is surgical. During recent public addresses, he openly declared his intent to bring “all good Congress leaders" into the BJP fold, effectively turning the BJP into an umbrella organisation that houses the state’s political elite.
The psychological impact of these defections cannot be overstated. When a former state president and an incumbent MP switch sides on the eve of an election, it creates a sense of inevitability around the BJP’s victory. For the grassroots worker, the line between the two parties has blurred, making it easier for the BJP to co-opt the local machinery that once belonged to the Congress.
As Assam prepares to vote on April 9, analysts say the battle is no longer just between two ideologies. It is between a rejuvenated BJP, bolstered by the very people who once opposed it, and a fragmented Congress struggling to find enough “suspects" to fill its own ranks. Himanta Biswa Sarma has not just changed the players; he has rewritten the rules of the game.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Trump Announces Permanent Freeze On Migration From ‘Third World Nations’ Trump says US will pause migration from 'third-world countries Trump says lax migration policies top national security threat after National Guard members shot BJP-JD(U) turned Bihar into a ‘migration hub’ Trump to halt migration from 3rd world nations Assam CM invites Vice President to visit Assam to witness progress Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2025 Amazon Great Indian Festival steals Amazon Great Indian Festival is LIVE for ALL
The US has lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil, as it scrambles to contain the impact of its war in Iran on energy markets. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the issuing of a narrowly tailored, short-term authorisation permitting the sale of Iranian oil currently stranded at sea
Just now
Delhi engulfed in ‘not very common’ dense fog in March; records lowest temperature since February 26Experts attributed the occurrence of fog to a combination of recent rain, high moisture content in the atmosphere and relatively calm winds overnight. Updated on: Mar 22
Just now
Bournemouth held Manchester United to a 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday in their Premier League clash. Bruno Fernandes strike and an own goal accounted for United’s tally, while Ryan Christie and Junior Kroupi found the net for the Cherries in a match that also saw Harry Maguire sent
Just now
Chandrasekhar, who is fighting against CPI(M) leader and state Education Minister V Sivankutty, and K S Sabarinadhan from the Congress in the April 9 polls, submitted his nomination papers before the returning officer during the day, accompanied by Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma.Chandrasekhar
Just now
In 2018, a young tigress stopped appearing on camera traps in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. There was no official report of conflict as well as no records of carcass recovery or poaching incidents. This indicated that she had not died within the reserve.In 2018
Just now
The Union government on Saturday allowed an additional 20% allocation of commercial liquefied petroleum gas to states and Union Territories, taking the overall allocation to 50%. Of the total amount, an allocation of 10% will be given on the condition that states undertake measures to ease the
Just now
DICGC risk-based premium: How much will banks pay for deposit insurance?RBP framework provides a bank with a discount of up to 33.33% on the deposit insurance premium based on its rating category and an up to 25% vintage incentive. Updated on: Mar 22
Just now
Maharashtra politics heats up after a state women's commission chief resigns due to her association with a spiritual leader accused of rape. The Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray Sena now targets Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Leaders demand action against political followers of such spiritual
Just now
TikTok star Taylor Frankie Paul sat uneasily in her chair during a live interview on ABC's Good Morning America this week, caught between trying to promote her turn in the network's new series of The Bachelorette and addressing fresh domestic violence allegations lodged against her by her
Just now
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured the minority community of her support during her Eid-ul-Fitr address, criticizing the BJP's alleged deletion of minority names from electoral rolls. She vowed to challenge these actions in the Supreme Court
Just now
In the age of convenience, using frozen, deep-fried or processed meats that are brimming with preservatives is the norm. It makes life easier on days when work and life collide. However, a new study has found that eating too much ultra-processed food may significantly increase the risk of serious
Just now
Mohit Suri on eight-hour shift in film industry debate: ‘Emraan Hashmi shot 24 hours with me’Director Mohit Suri feels improved working hours shouldn’t be reserved only for actors, but must also consider the well-being of the entire crew. Mar 22, 2026
Just now
Cuba’s national power grid suffered a nationwide collapse on Saturday, plunging the island into darkness for the second time in a week as the communist government struggles to maintain electricity supplies for its 10 million residents amid a U.S.-imposed oil blockade and ageing infrastructure
Just now
The National Farmers' Union has warned that food prices in the UK are likely to go up as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. NFU President Tom Bradshaw told the BBC that the price of cucumbers and tomatoes could rise over the next six weeks
Just now
Global intelligence agencies, including the CIA and Mossad, were closely watching during Nowruz on Friday to see whether Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, would uphold his father’s tradition of a New Year’s address. However, the holiday went by without Mojtaba’s address
Just now
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday claimed it had struck an Israeli F-16 fighter jet over central Iran, even as Israel announced fresh overnight strikes on ballistic missile production facilities in Tehran. In a statement carried by Sepah News
Just now
These have been directed by PNGRB to shorten the timeline between the submission of applications and the commencement of gas supply to consumer households and pursue mass awareness initiatives. Also Read :India set to become rich by 2047? How growth
Just now
The combined wealth of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma has increased to Rs 35.16 crore in 2026 from 17.27 crore in 2021, showed the affidavit filed by the Bharatiya Janata Party leader on Friday. Himanta Biswa Sarma had filed the affidavit along with his
Just now
When Liverpool came to Brighton last May, the away end was in party mode at the full-time whistle despite the defeat as they sang and celebrated with inflatables and balloons. By then, Arne Slot's side had won the Premier League title and a trip to the south coast was another excuse to enjoy
Just now
The National Highways Authority of India will use advanced AI dashcams on 40,000 km of highways. This initiative aims to improve road maintenance and safety through data-driven operations. High-resolution imagery will help identify over 30 types of defects
Just now
For most office workers in India, the concept of working out like Bollywood’s “New Age Action Hero" Vidyut Jammwal, who is known for his incredible Kalaripayattu-powered feats, seems absurdly unattainable. The actor is believed to exercise for up to nine hours every day
Just now
In the high-stakes arena of the 2026 Assam assembly elections, observers say Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has deployed a political strategy that is as audacious as it is effective: dismantling the Congress party by absorbing its most influential DNA. On March 19
Just now
Indian man escorted off flight after demanding seat change from US-based techieA United States-based software developer has sparked a discussion on in-flight etiquette after refusing to switch seats with an Indian man on a plane Published on: Mar 22
Just now
India faces an LPG crisis as the US-Israeli war on Iran disrupts shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies 85-90% of the country’s imports. Tanker delays and safety concerns have caused cylinder shortages, rising prices, and rationing, hitting households and eateries hard
Just now
Comprehensive financial planning: Reflect on FY25 and plan for FY26 and beyondThe annual review of the financial year. Updated on: Mar 22, 2026 4:10 AM IST By Gopal Gidwani Share via Copy link The financial year-end is a good time to reflect on what worked well this year and what did not go as
Just now
With the inauguration of the Noida International Airport in Jewar drawing closer, a key concern for travellers across Delhi-NCR is accessibility. While the airport promises to ease pressure on Delhi’s existing aviation infrastructure, its location in western Uttar Pradesh means commute time will
Just now
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.7 Running watches that actually help you run better in 2026Running watches have changed how people track every mile. Here are seven options that stand out when it comes to performance
Just now
